March 18, 2021 | Jeffrey Good
Celina Barrios and Luis Mitra didn’t take the traditional route to earning their high school diplomas. Nor the fast route. And certainly not the easy one.
But the young woman and man, both 20, have chosen the path they know is right. And they travelled it together, as wife and husband. Recently, they strode across the stage to claim their high school diplomas.
“You don’t expect 18 year olds to get married and still try to do high school and children and still try to work,” said Celina. “Trust me, we’ve had many times where we’re like, ‘You know what, we’re just done. Let’s just, let’s just not do this anymore. Let’s just quit school and just keep on working.’ ”
But then, the educators at St. Lucie Acceleration Academy reminded them of their dreams — and how vital a high school diploma is to making them a reality.
“They inspire us so much,” she said. “They tell us ‘It’s for your future.’ ”
That encouragement builds on the support the young couple provide to each other. They both work full-time, he on the day shift as a construction foreman, she on the evening shift selling perfume at a store for women. But during the times they were studying together in their apartment, or catching up on the phone during breaks, they reminded each other of why they came to SLAA in the first place.
“She is always the one to tell me, ‘Just don’t give up,’ ” Luis said, looking tenderly at his wife. “I’ve got a big love for her.”
The love flows in both directions, it’s clear. Celina was born in the United States to immigrant parents; her mom grew up in Mexico and her father in Guatemala. Luis came from an impoverished town in Mexico at age 5, his sister and mother crossing the border under cover of darkness to join his father, who had found work here.
When Luis arrived, he didn’t know a word of English, but over the years in elementary school, his language skills grew. But then, on his 10th birthday, an SUV slammed into the small sedan carrying him, his mother and sister. His mother went into a coma and doctors said she might never walk again. Luis and his sister were also severely hurt, including a brain injury that he says made school difficult from that point on.
“Once I reached middle school, my grades started going down, down, down,” he recalled. “I haven’t been the same ever since.”
They met in 6th grade and for many years were simply good friends. But as their talks grew deeper and they spent more and more time together, something stirred, Celina recalled. “I gotta tell you,” her future husband told her, “I have feelings for you.”
Their families had mixed feelings about them marrying so young, but they were determined. They went to the courthouse alone, said their vows and began their shared life. Celina recalled, “When we first got married, we lived in a garage with no air conditioning.”
Having moved out of their families’ homes and needing to support themselves, they didn’t have room for the schedules of a traditional high school.
“As a married couple, it was hard to work, get money, pay the rent and do so many more things and also go to school,” Celina recalled. They considered their options: both could drop out, or one could work while the other pursued a diploma.
But the prospect of having only one graduate in the house disheartened them. Then the guidance counselor at their old school told them about SLAA, Celina said. “She said, ‘I think this will be perfect for you guys. You can work and go to school at the same time.”
After learning of the opportunity to study at a personalized pace, with one-on-one help available as needed, they enrolled. SLAA staff members say was a joy to work with the couple.
“Their relationship is one out of a million. You don’t see that kind of relationship in young people today,” said graduation candidate advocate Anglea Gilmore. Working with Celina and Luis is like working with twins. They are just wonderful people. You have to tell both of them the same thing. you can’t just tell one.”
“Luis would always say, ‘I got you, Ms G!’” said Gilmore. “Yes, Luis, and I’ve got you, too. Yes Luis, and I got you too. I got you when you put that cap and that gown on.”
They might like to have children one day, and they definitely want solid, well-paying jobs. Celina dreams of becoming a police officer or a nurse. “I feel like it’s helping the community, making things better.” Luis would like to train to become a diesel engine mechanic. He said, “I want to learn every nut and bolt.”
All of those careers require education beyond high school, and the young couple are well on their way. They’ve made their families proud — and themselves.
“That’s what’s kept us going,” said Celina. “We’re better together.”