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Hernando Today

Pregnant In High School: Teens On How Parenting Changed Them

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By LINNEA BROWN

Hernando Today

Published: September 6, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - When Nature Coast Technical High School junior Kimberly Newmann, 16, moved to Hernando County last spring, she was nervous.

OK, more than nervous. She was the new kid in school - transferring from a school in Marion County - and she was nearly eight months pregnant, making "fitting in" a little more difficult than usual.

"I felt different because I was kind of big, but I knew I was doing the right thing," she said. "I knew my baby depended on my education. Dropping out was not an option."

Like many of the girls in the Hernando County School District's teen parenting program, she never intended on becoming pregnant.

Kimberly recalled that when she first took a pregnancy test and it came back positive, she went and bought "about 10 more," just to make sure.

Since her mother was not supportive of the pregnancy, she and her boyfriend moved to Hernando County to move in with her father. Her boyfriend graduated from high school and joined the U.S. Army, and she plans on marrying him and attending college someday.

But in the meantime, she's got two more years of high school with a new baby.

Help starts immediately

Kimberly said she owes everything to the program, which - mandated by Florida law - offers childcare services, classes and support to students who are pregnant or have children.

On her first day of school, she enrolled and was funneled into the school's "health for expectant parents" class. She ate lunch with several other girls in the program, who helped her find her classes, showed her around and became her close friends.

"It's like a support system. Everyone knows your situation, and it's easier because they understand what you're going through," said Nature Coast senior Allison Calcasola, 17, who gave birth to her daughter, Shanel, in July.

Several at a time, students have scheduled times during the day to spend hands-on learning time with babies at the school's on-site nursery and daycare facility, and often chat with each other there.

Like Kimberly, Allison also moved in with her boyfriend and his parents. Her mother also was not supportive, and she wanted to do what was best for her baby. Her boyfriend, who graduated last year, is in the process of signing up for the U.S. Air Force.

However, Allison and Kimberly are the exception to the majority of the program's teens, who are single parents. Many also live independently, due to a lack of support at home, said Robin Emmerman, a school social worker and coordinator of the teen parenting program.

Countless other pregnant teens drop out each year, overwhelmed or ashamed of what their peers will think, she said.

But the program is designed to break that cycle. It provides on-site childcare and teaches young parents proper discipline and interaction with their children, socialization and what is developmentally appropriate for their babies and toddlers.

It also teaches self-sufficiency, with the hope that young parents will have the tools they need to support themselves so they are not on public assistance.

"Because (the parents are) young, they're particularly at risk of abuse and neglect," Emmerman said. "We want to teach them life skills in a positive way, and give them as much information as possible."

A tricky transition

Allison, who became pregnant while attending Nature Coast last September, said the program is far from easy.

"You can't just come expecting a free ride," Allison said.

Students are expected to return to school two weeks after giving birth and are required to keep up with all of the classes and homework expected of other students - not to mention parenting courses and taking care of a newborn.

"When girls wake up after being up all night with their babies, they look exhausted," Emmerman said. "Most girls find it very difficult to adjust to being a parent."

While the parenting classes helped prepare her for what to expect, Allison said that looking back, she was "clueless" about the energy required to be a parent.

"I took the (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test) two days before my due date," Kimberly added.

Another student, Alexa Clubb, 17, who has a 1-year-old daughter, Adrianna, recalled the first time she tried to board a school bus with her baby. A fiasco ensued, including screaming students and an ill-fitting car seat.

Even getting ready for school in the mornings requires more effort, with teen parents required to remember both their own school supplies and their babies' supplies for the day, including formula, baby food, diapers and wipes.

"It's a lot easier now because I have my own car, and I have a schedule of how I do things," Alexa said. "Now I have everything ready the night before."

While students are in class, their children are under the care of professionals at the school's licensed daycare facility.

But the program is also there to provide a source of support for both parenting advice and academics, which many students lack at home.

"Unfortunately, many of these students have had a lot of negativity in their lives, but it's such an honor to be able to show teens how to make the right moves," said toddler teacher Lisa Glowacke. "I wish we could offer these classes to adults."

Paraprofessional JoAnn Burkhart agreed.

"They come in the morning and we say, 'Have you slept?'" she said. "But we help where we can, and we fall in love with their children. We really do."

'It changes you'

As difficult as having a baby in high school might be, a strange thing happens to many of the students: Those who previously failed classes become good students, and students who previously acted out become well-behaved.

In short, they grow up. Fast.

"It changes you, having a baby," Alexa said.

"I saw everything in a different way," she continued. "I wrote (my daughter) a letter in her baby book and told her she saved my life. Without her, I'd probably be dead or in jail by now."

While Alexa said she has a supportive boyfriend now, her baby's father is incarcerated and has not been a part of her daughter's life. She lives primarily on her own, makes decent grades and works at Subway to support her family.

The program also aims to educate students about support services and prevention of a second pregnancy, Emmerman added.

Regardless of the baby's age, students are required to take two levels of parenting courses - covering topics such as behavior and nutrition, from babies to toddlers - so students know what to expect when their children are older.

"(Teen pregnancy) crosses all economic lines," Emmerman said. "But as long as they have an education, we know they have a fighting chance."

And the effects of the program are more far-reaching than many staff members realize, with many of the program's teen parents graduating and going on to college or well-paying jobs, Burkhart added.

"It's really nice to see the girls grow and amazing to see that we do makes a difference," she said. "We'll bump into (former students) at Wal-Mart, and they tell us their kids are in grammar school and they're married. Then they give us a hug and say, 'We wouldn't be here if it weren't for you.'"

Reporter Linnea Brown can be reached at 352-544-5289 or lbrown@hernandotoday.com.

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