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A family's journey in a few steps By JONEL ALECCIA Perhaps a few of North Medford High School's 316 cap-and-gowned seniors will take graduation for granted today. George Flores won't be one of them. After a senior year spent making up for past academic mistakes, and a last-minute deadline snafu that threatened his participation in the ceremony, Flores, 18, will cross the North High gymnasium as one grateful graduate. "The whole point is just to walk with your class and for all your whole family to be there to see," Flores said Friday. It's an especially precious point for the boy who will become the first member of his Hispanic family ever to graduate from high school, let alone consider college. "I am so proud of him," said his mother, Lori Castillo, 36, of Medford. "I don't even have the words to say." It's also important in light of state figures that estimate more than half of Hispanic students drop out of school before their senior year. Flores came within hours of being dropped from the ceremony following confusion over a final assignment deadline. The deadline was June 1 for assignments in a credit retrieval program in which Flores was enrolled. But it was June 5 for other seniors' final work. Flores said daily school announcements and a letter home led him to believe he could turn in one last assignment Monday. When he did, his teacher told him it was too late. "I was really angry," he said. His frustration was shared by adults who know Flores, including Nick Elliot, manager of the McDonald's where the boy works part-time to help support his family. "He's an excellent employee," Elliott said. "He's friendly, he's nice, he's fast. He's a real good kid. If it was some screwball, it'd be different." In addition to school and work, Flores also volunteered for Kids Unlimited of Southern Oregon. At first, school officials held firm, saying Flores would get his diploma, but would not be allowed to join the ceremony. Of 103 seniors enrolled in the credit retrieval program, only three didn't meet the deadline, Principal Don Lacey said. "What about the 100 students did meet it? Is that fair to them?" he said. Concerned phone calls from community members, including Medford School Board president Peggy Penland, may have helped persuade district leaders to reconsider. "I asked 'How is this good for kids?' " said Penland, who had never met Flores. "Explain to me your decision. If my call made them have a different conversation, I'm glad." The district agreed to allow Flores and two other credit retrieval students to join the procession, said Dan Zaklan, director of secondary education. The incident will prompt a review of timelines for graduation requirements. "There may have been confusion about the deadlines," he said. "Our goal next year is to not be in this situation." Meanwhile, Flores is preparing to celebrate tonight. His west Medford home was filled with California relatives who drove up for the ceremony - only to learn there might not be one. "They said he could walk!" said a gleeful Lori Castillo. "Everybody in the house is just screaming." Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.