Role models and free lunch: Investments in education Fresno and Arvin

Lauren Baker thinks the fact that fewer adults have college degrees in her hometown of Fresno than in California overall is a big influence on students. Baker, a 25 year-old resident of the Tower District, says a community investment in education could help with this. Lauren is a reporter with The Know Youth Media.

Lauren Baker of Fresno, Ca. and Lynette Layus, resident of South Kern County and contributor to South Kern Sol.

Lynette Layus is a 16 year-old junior at Arvin High School in Arvin, Ca., where 70 percent of its student population qualifies for free or reduced price lunches. “[Free school lunch] is very helpful for me, being raised by a single mom,” said Lynette. “It reduces the daily worry of the cost of food, and my school provides free dinner.” Lynette writes about her community for South Kern Sol.