GYPSUM, Colorado — A year ago, Jesus Amancio said he never imagined he would be graduating high school.

This Sunday, he walked off the stage of the Gypsum Pavilion along with 11 other graduates, with diploma in hand and a new plan for his future.

“I'm going to move to Texas to go to college, and go two years to college, and then transfer to UTSA (the University of Texas at San Antonio) and become a P.E. teacher,” Amancio said.

Amancio, 18, came to Gypsum from Durango, Mexico, 8 months ago and began going to the New America School, a public charter high school where recent immigrants can learn English.

The school, the brainchild of Internet entrepreneur and Congressional candidate Jared Polis, just completed its inaugural year. Polis was on hand to celebrate the milestone as he spoke to the graduates about the valuable role they play in society despite their legal status in the United States.

Different stories, one class

The faces that dotted the stage were diverse, all with different backgrounds and different stories.

Several had studied under regular public school programs for years but never achieved English fluency. Others had recently come to the country from as far as Senegal. Still others already had children and families to care for as they studied for their diplomas.

“Not one of these kids would have graduated if not for New America School,” said principal Kathy Brendza. “This is an incredible group of kids. They’re the hardest working, most respectful students I’ve ever been around.”

Many of the students overcame great hurdles to pursue academics and English fluency, she said.

Amancio said he moved around and went to school between Mexico and the United States, but never concentrated on academics until he came to the New America School.

“I didn’t pay a lot of attention before. But since I started here, I started to get good grades and have good attendance. Now I’m a straight A student,” he said, grinning proudly.

Together with Amancio, many of the graduates received scholarships to help them pursue higher education. Graduate Cristal Corral wept as she accepted her full-ride scholarship.

New America School Who graduated? Byanka Aguilar Jesus Amancio Cristal Corral Claudia Gallegos Jesica Gomez Amadou Keneme Aide Ordonez Ana Karen Rosales Ana Lilia de la Rosa Morayma Tarin Cinthia Valenzuela Omar Vazquez What is the New America School? The public charter high school was founded by Internet entrepreneur and Congressional candidate Jared Polis. The purpose is for recent immigrants or students who are struggling with English fluency, to earn their diplomas without falling too far behind and learn English. This is the Gypsum school’s first year. The school also has locations in Aurora, Northglenn and Lakewood.

One big family

Beyond the pomp and circumstance of the graduation ceremony was a sincere gratefulness from the students and an intimacy that comes from a being in a small school.

“They were always there to help us,” said graduate Aide Ordonez. “There were always there to help us not quit school ... Even though some of us might not have their family here today, we have each other as family. We're a small group, but we're a great family.”

Ordonez, 21, had been trying to earn her GED from Colorado Mountain College before she heard about the New America School. As she attended, sometimes she would even bring her 3-year-old son Elier to school, and everyone would help watch him, she said.

For the students with children or jobs, the school has night and day classes, and provides some assistance with child care, Brendza said.

Juggling school, child care and a job is definitely a challenge many of the New America School students face, but the school staff always told students not to quit, Ordonez said.

“If I did it, why you can't?” Ordonez challenged the audience in her speech. “Remember, the key to success is education.”

With greatly bolstered writing skills after her time at the New America School, Ordonez now plans to attend college in Mexico where she'll study language. She hopes to earn a doctorate and study in England eventually.

Teacher Leah Teeters spent most of the graduation ceremony in tears, and seeing her students leave is bittersweet, she said.

“It has been a phenomenal journey,” she said. “These students have become like my children — my best friends, and my purpose.

“I am so proud of them and so inspired by them,” Teeters said. “Their dedication to learning, to education and to improving their lives — not only their lives, but the lives of others - has filled me with hope for humanity. I know they will do so many things with their lives.”

Brendza said she hopes the success of this year will lead to higher enrollment and eventually an expanded role for the school.

“Maybe we can become the welcoming school for people coming into the county from other countries,” she said.

Staff Writer Melanie Wong can be reached at 970-748-2928 or mwong@vaildaily.com.