Emanuel praises drop-outs who came back to graduate at Collins - Chicago Sun-Times

http://bit.ly/kOOrXx

" In fact, almost 100 percent of the graduates at the school in poverty-stricken North Lawndale are going to college.

“Nothing means more to me as mayor,” Emanuel said. “These are the kids who represent Chicago’s best values.”

The few members of Collins’ graduating class who weren’t college-bound chose to enter the military.

Emanuel said he related to the struggles of Johnson and Cook, sharing a story about the seven weeks he spent in a hospital after cutting off the tip of his finger while working at an Arby’s restaurant at age 17 to earn money for college. “They overcame adversity,” Emanuel said of the two former dropouts. “They now have the means to succeed.”

Cook plans to attend Harper College, and Johnson is headed to Philander Smith College, Collins officials said."

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