Geli’s Journey with Hope
The road has been long and far from traditional for Hope Street Academy senior, Angelica (Geli) Scharp. Her story demonstrates the positive outcome that can arise when layers of academic support align to encourage and mentor a young woman with great potential. In reflecting upon her background, Geli is proud to be where she is now, considering where she has come from. Geli’s journey with Hope Street Academy in Topeka Public Schools and The University of Kansas Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) began just prior to giving birth to her daughter, Surreal Emily Rose, at the age of 15.
Geli’s has encountered numerous challenges throughout her childhood. She said she comes from an economically low-status home and has been in and out of the foster care system. She regularly works long hours, while raising a young child and working on her high school diploma. Many messages have surrounded the young mother, some negative, and some overwhelmingly inspiring. Now, through a belief in the positivity offered at Hope Street Academy, Geli is looking forward to graduating in May at the top of her class. After graduation, she plans to enroll at either Washburn University or Haskell Indian Nations University in the fall.
Geli has had a difficult upbringing and when asked why she works so hard, she states, “Well, I don’t want Surreal [her daughter] to grow up how I grew up.” This simple motivation acts as the catalyst for her resilient achievement despite having a difficult road ahead. KU TRIO EOC works with students like Geli, who desire to obtain a college degree, but might be taking a non-traditional path to get there. Academic Advisor Melody Lawrence relies on flexibility and dynamic personal encouragement to help Geli examine potential options for college enrollment after high school. If an important informational event such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) workshop does not fit with her schedule, Melody makes time to set up an individual appointment to review the pertinent information. When Geli needs to be reminded that young parents can go to college, Melody has been there to remind her of this reality. This level of support is a great addition to the already stellar staffing at Hope Street Academy.
Early in her coursework at Hope Street Academy, Geli felt discouraged, but Mr. Bagshaw, a teacher in the business department, left a lasting impression with his interpretation of her potential. “He said to me, ‘I’m looking at your work. You’re going to be able to do it, Geli. You’re going to go somewhere!’ So now, somewhere in the back of my mind, I hear him saying ‘You’re going to do it. You’re going to make it!’” This high level of encouragement and support might seem extraordinary to some, but at Hope Street Academy, it is the standard of practice. At this school, the administration knows every student by name. “People here actually care; you are more than a test score or a number.”
Geli acknowledges all of the hard work that she has already put into her educational journey, and she knows that more hard work will follow on her path to a Bachelor’s Degree in forensic science. She said she isn’t scared of the work or the commitment needed to accomplish this goal. Her grandparents have been a source of academic encouragement for as long as she can remember. Going to college would fulfill her grandparents’ dreams for her.
When asked what being the first in her family to graduate from college would mean to her family, Geli reflects on her grandmother’s support, “If her first grandbaby could make it through college, she would be ecstatic!”
Through the difficulties that life has dealt to Geli, her commitment to a better future for herself and her daughter Surreal stands strong. With the help of KU TRIO EOC and Hope Street Academy advisors and counselors, there is no doubt that Geli will achieve her college dream and will one day become a detective.
