"It is sad how people can look at their belly’s and not their faces."
    This was the segment of GRADS teacher Mrs. Wendi Kirsch. GRADS (which stands for Graduation, Reality, And Dual-Role Skills) is an in-school program for pregnant teens and teen parents. The purpose of this class is to empower teen parents to set realistic goals and to remain in school until graduation. 
    "This class helps girls through their pregnancy, and after they have their child...having a child is much harder than the pregnancy itself," said Kirsch. 
    "It’s really good research for pregnant teens," said school counselor Mrs. Michelle Mitchell. "It helps them learn all different skills they would need to know to become teen parents." 
    In the school year 2009-2010 there were 37 students enrolled in GRADS class. This year, 24 of them still in the program are either planning graduating, attending post-secondary classes, already employed, or have been accepted in a two-year college. Based on an anonymous survey Kirsch gave GRADS students in the past, all agreed the class had affected them in a positive way.
    "GRADS helped me out when I did knot know what to do, and talking about things I needed to know," said former GRADS student on one of the surveys. 
    Although GRADS is beneficial to pregnant and teen parents, it does not take away all the worry and stress.
    "I worry what if she doesn’t love me," said expecting mother Senior Lorona Barker. 
    She stated how difficult being a teen mom could be.
    "Financially it is a struggle...I wish someone would of told me how hard it was going to be" 
    "GRADS helps me out a lot." Added Barker.
    Although she was scared at first, Barker is still planning on graduating. She is due with a baby girl in about five months, and would never consider giving her baby up for adoption. Barker’s supportive parents have helped her all throughout her pregnancy. 
    Katie Hrovatic is a normal teenage girl living a not-so-normal life. When she goes home from school, she is not going home to a relaxing day like most teens; she is going home to her two-year-old daughter. She is also in GRADS.
    "It’s a lot of money and stress," said Hrovatic.
    Having a daughter is not holding Hrovatic back though; She is determined to graduate. 
    "She helps me through school, she makes me want to get an education."
    Hrovatic is in GRADS class as a teen parent. She is happy with the class and thinks it really helps.
    There are many opinions, for pregnant teens in today’s society.
    Some teens may think, "Better her than me" of those teens who are pregnant or expecting.
    Not all non-pregnant teens are like that though. 
    "I would never leave a friend for being pregnant," said junior Stacie Barret. She struggles from a disease that prevents her from being fertile, which means she can never have children. Although this is not an issue now, she still envies pregnant women when she sees them knowing she will never get to have kids herself.
    "I don’t know to much about GRADS class, but I know if I was in their position I would want a class that would teach me tricks to being a teen mom."