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Tots Taught Graduate A Lesson

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 31, 2008

TAMPA - High school seemed eternal, pointless and boring when Vanessa Trujillo started four years ago.

It took new scenery and a team of 4-year-olds to change her mind.

She hadn't wanted to go to school in the mornings, and her grades were suffering. She transferred from Sickles to Gaither during her sophomore year, but she just felt worse without her friends.

"I wasn't focused," said Trujillo, 18. "I didn't have a reason to come to school."

Then, she met teacher Becky Burgue.

Trujillo had Burgue for family and consumer sciences as a junior and decided for her senior year to enroll in her early childhood education program. Students in the class take charge of the "Little Wranglers," a preschool set up at the high school where teens prepare lessons and care for children under Burgue's supervision.

The girl who hated going to school couldn't stay away. She didn't want to get sick because she knew the Little Wranglers depended on her. She plunged into her lesson plans, sneaking time during English class to work on illustrated children's books and staying up late, wired on Red Bull, to perfect projects.

She cried so hard she got a headache when the Little Wranglers held their graduation last week, and she realized the children were moving on and she was, too. But by her graduation Friday, she could not stop smiling.

"I'm so excited," Trujillo said. "I'm ready."

More than 500 Gaither seniors graduated Friday afternoon. The valedictorian and salutatorian talked about milestones the Class of 2008 had met and the changes coming in their lives.

Principal Brenda Grasso told the crowd at the University of South Florida Sun Dome that 91 percent of the class planned to pursue post-secondary education. She said the class secured about $6 million in scholarships.

Grasso praised the graduates for their "commitment to excellence" and told them to remember the good times and to continue to strive for the best.

"It's a time to reflect on your past, childhood and adolescence," Grasso said, "and a time to look forward to the future."

Trujillo will attend Hillsborough Community College in the fall and hopes to become a pediatric nurse one day. She loves working with children. Seeing their growth in Little Wranglers rewarded her and gave her more confidence in her abilities.

Burgue said Trujillo's turnaround from disinterested student to classroom leader impressed her. Her enthusiasm is contagious, Burgue said, and was part of the reason Burgue named her "outstanding early childhood student" for the year.

Trujillo said she felt as if she went from "having nothing" as a freshman to having everything. She said her parents were proud of her. She was proud of how she matured.

"Miss Becky helped me grow up," Trujillo said.

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503 or cpastor@tampatrib.com.

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