Congratulations to Milagros!
L.C. Bird High School, Class of 2024

Ms. Oxendine and Milagros pose for a photo
together at the L.C. Bird High School prom.

Read about all of our CIS Class of 2024 Graduates by clicking here.

Milagros was born in Richmond, but moved with her family, including her five siblings, to Chesterfield at the age of five. Growing up she learned to love music, gardening, and reading. At L.C. Bird High School, Milagros connected with Ms. Oxendine, one of the two CIS Site Coordinators at the school. The goals they established together were for Milagros to gain relationship-building skills and to determine the steps necessary to reach her ambition of attending college after high school. Milagros quickly felt “super comfortable” with Ms. Oxendine. “She doesn’t just listen to me; she gives great advice,” she shared; “she makes me feel like I’m in a judgement free zone.”

Milagros was able to open up to Ms. O about her challenges and needs, focusing on her mental health and attendance. They worked together in many ways, ranging from understanding the value of relationships with others, growing in her faith, and pursuing her interests in college. Through monthly check-ins and strategies offered by Ms. O, Milagros met her biggest goal – being accepted into a four-year university program!

Along with graduating and being accepted into college, she reflected that she is most proud of winning first overall for Floriculture for Future Farmers of America (FFA). This victory is taking her all the way to Virginia Tech this summer to compete against other students from across the state in the 98th Annual Virginia FFA State Convention! She’ll continue to pursue agriculture with a focus on plants, soil, and environmental science next year at Virginia State University, using her Jay Swedenborg Scholarship from CIS of Chesterfield!

With Ms. O’s help, Milagros has really planted the seeds for a bright future ahead!

You can be a part of the success of future students’ graduation success! To invest in the class of 2025, make your donation to Communities In Schools of Chesterfield Today!