Stay Out Loud is our monthly series featuring articles writen by teen, for teens. Got something you want to say? Email your submissions and story ideas to stayteen@thenc.org.
The following article tells the true-life story of Lorena, a young woman whose plans for the future were side-lined when she became pregnant at age 18. Though Lorena has big plans for her education and her future, most teen parents aren't so lucky. In reality, less than half of teen mothers ever graduate from high school and fewer than two percent earn a college degree by age 30. We wish Lorena the best of luck in meeting all of her goals for the future.
Meet Lorena, a pretty 21 year-old, that loves to read, draw, and write poetry. She loves to read and teach her two little boys, Daniel and Jairo.
When Lorena was 18, she and her boyfriend found out that she was pregnant. Devastated because she was a recent high school graduate and had applied to go on to college, she felt that she was in a bad situation. Not only did she have to put her plans for the future on hold, but the couple also had to break the news to their parents. "When I first found out I was pregnant, I told myself, "These are the consequences that come with sex, so now I have to move forward,'" said Lorena.
She is one of the few teens that had help from both families and coming from Mexican descent, it was expected that the couple would get married since they had a child on the way. After having Daniel, she was ready to go on to community college but then she got another surprise. She was pregnant yet again, this time it was with Jairo and now she had to care for two babies. "I believe my kids have been a blessing. To tell you the truth, it was not difficult at all. Maybe only when they get sick, but that's about it," she acknowledged. Even though it is tough to have two children, she looks forward to going on to college.
Her parents are very supportive and have given her a home to stay at with her husband and two children. Thus, college is not going to be an exception for Lorena. "There is no turning back, and of that I am aware. There's only one way to go and that is foward. I try my best to be a good mother and - at the same time - keep up with myself. To study, read, write, and practice. All until I can get myself back out there to college." she mentioned. While the odds are against her, she continues to fight for what she believes in and strive for what she wants in life.