Michael Jaquias can often be found strumming guitar outside of Delta High School on the Cabrillo campus. He is the unofficial greeter for his peers in the Real World Linked Learning program where students earn their high school diploma while taking classes at Cabrillo and exploring careers. Since enrolling in the Real World last fall, Michael says he has found a school “family” where teacher, Maria Hastings, both supports and challenges her students.
Coming from a large school in the Los Angeles area, Michael was drawn to Real World initially after hearing about it from his older sister Sabrina. He says that his teachers didn’t always care about what he did and he stopped turning in work. In Real World, Michael enjoys working at his own pace while being challenged by his teacher.
“She (Maria) pushes me out of my comfort zone towards things I should be learning on my own,” he said.
Some of those skills include preparing for college and an internship this spring. With the support of Your Future is Our Business Executive Director Mary Gaukel Forster, MIchael and his class visit different workplaces each Wednesday to learn more about the career pathways available to them.
This month, Michael is getting ready to conduct an informational interview with Chuck Richards, a professional musician. Michael’s love of music has led him to take a guitar class at Cabrillo where the instructor, Wally Trindade, is teaching him new ways to play songs like “My Girl” or “Hotel California.”
What’s next for Michael is continuing his studies at Cabrillo and then heading to a four-year university in the Los Angeles area where he plans to study Marine Biology with a minor in music. He’s fascinated by the interaction between different marine animals and how their systems differ from ours.
You can meet Michael and the other Real World students at an information night on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. on the Cabrillo Campus, building 1190. Give us a call at 477-5212 for more information or visit our website at deltaschool.org.
Delta Charter High School equips students with the skills necessary to graduate from high school, go on to higher education, and contribute positively to society.
