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From Hiway 80 to early high school graduate

Yoselin Sianez never had a place to truly call home throughout her years at Longview High School. However, she overcame the struggles to reach her goal of graduation.

TYLER, Texas — Every high school student goes through their own struggles to reach the ultimate goal of graduation. However, Yoselin Sianez's journey through high school was harder than most.

“It was just really stressful. The struggling and all that," Sianez said. "I didn't really want to go through all four years of high school just struggling.”

Sianez and her family were homeless when they moved into the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission in Longview. Though it was a comfort to have a roof over her head each night, she still struggled to get through each year.

Melissa Black, the Director of Women and Family Services at Hiway 80, told Sianez about some of the resources at Longview ISD to get her through early graduation. 

“We want to make sure that they’re reaching those educational goals. We want to make sure that they get that diploma," Black explained. "So when I found out she was struggling with it, I wanted her to be aware that there's other options, that it doesn't have to be you drop out.”

Yoselin didn’t drop out. On February 11th, Yoselin graduated from high school.

Credit: KYTX

“To see Yoselin graduate and just to see the smile on her face that night was just wonderful," Black said.

With high school now behind her, Yoselin is looking ahead towards a bright future.

“Now I can just go to college and become a nurse,” said Yoselin.

It is career that would provide the formally homeless teen something she always wanted: A place to call home.

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