Chenae Donley holds her identical twins Sawyer and Sorin after graduation at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. Donley found out she was pregnant with the twins when she was 15 and said she would never have graduated without the options that Roberts offered her. Donley is headed to college in the fall. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Not every student in the Salem-Keizer School District fits the traditional high school mold. Some students need multiple learning choices, understanding, patience, and room to grow and thrive. Without that room, leniency, and in some cases, multiple chances, these students could not graduate with a diploma or a GED.
This is where Roberts High School becomes an integral part of their success story.
The alternative high school offers several programs to support students who need extra help or more individual attention to graduate.
Some students have a baby (or two) in tow or are pregnant. A normal school day as a high schooler does not work for these student parents. The Teen Parent Program provides onsite day care for these students ensuring that these students can attend school during the day, and not worry about childcare. This allows focus on academics and a better path to graduation.
The school also provides programs for students expelled from their home high school, and for students who elect to attend school in a smaller setting on the Chemeketa Community College campus.
Last minute adjustments with advice from a cohort before the walk into the ceremony at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Some students were a little bit nervous before the ceremony at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Jamen Herry shows his handmade stole that his aunt made for him at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)One of the handmade decorated mortarboards at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Assistant Principal Lisa McIntyre gives last minute instructions to students in the final moments before graduation at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A student with her eagle feather from her grandfather attached to her mortarboard at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The expectant crowd filled with family and friends at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)One of the handmade decorated mortarboards at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. Many students featured family in their designs. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Senior speaker Jessica Lemus-Flores has a tearful moment while delivering her speech at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Handmade decorated mortarboards at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. Many students featured family in their designs. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A graduate receives their diploma from Karina Guzmán Ortiz, Salem Keizer School Board 2nd Vice Chair, at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Leis made of money were a popular gift to graduates at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A Roberts High School graduate celebrates at the school’s commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
The minion also got to graduate with his human friend at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Romeo Avila had his hair specially braided by his friend Anisah for his graduation at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The expectant crowd filled with family and friends at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A graduate shows their vibe with Karina Guzmán Ortiz, Salem Keizer School Board 2nd Vice Chair at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A student with her eagle feather from her grandfather attached to her mortarboard at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A student smiles down at her GED after graduation at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The best thing to do after graduation: take a selfie. Graduates at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Students express their unabashed relief after graduation at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Maryam Herry gives her son Jamen a hug after graduation at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Graduate Hannah Moore holds her son Lorenzo and his friend Armani after graduation at the Roberts High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
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Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer for 15 years, and is an avid scuba diver. Topside, she has been taking photographs since age 12, and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter, and full time purchasing land for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University, and has traveled extensively all over the world and the United States.
