A group of Blake High students have developed programs to help motivate students and boost graduation rates at their school.
"We design programs to help freshmen get the help that they need and also help the teachers help the students," said Blake High School senior Michael Ortega.
Ortega admitted he knows how it feels to be unmotivated at school. He wasn't very interested in classes when he started Blake as a freshman.
Senior Juwan Simmons said he felt the same way.
"I had a bad attitude," Simmons said. "I didn't want anybody to tell me anything."
A few years ago, the school's Success Coach stepped in. Coach Duane Thomas handpicked Simmons, Ortega and two other students to become leaders at Blake High School.
"When they got thrust into this leadership role, it just forced them to rise to the occasion," Thomas said. "And when they have something to work towards, it just helps them achieve more."
"I think in the leadership program, I found a spark in me that I didn't know I had before," said senior Markell Kershner.
Now, the upperclassmen are helping their peers stay on track. They have developed programs like Motivational Mondays, when adults come to the school to speak about their careers.
There are also student-run initiatives to unify the student body, beautify the school and mentor freshmen.
Ortega said he tells the freshmen, "Even though we're adults and we can't do much, we're going to try our best to make sure you're on the path to success so you can graduate."
Last year, Blake High School saw an increase in the number of students graduating. School leaders said they attribute it partially to the new approach. Students are now helping to motivate their peers.
Blake High School is part of the Alliance for Public Schools, an initiative to improve student success at schools.