School: L.C. Bird High School
Site Coordinator: Talaya Oxendine
Future Plans: Navy then College

Lexie moved to Chesterfield county during her 8th grade year and started high school at L.C. Bird soon after. Attendance, however, quickly became a challenge for Lexie. It was difficult for her to arrive at school on time, and, as a result, her academic performance, especially in her morning classes, suffered. Fortunately, during her 9th grade year, Miss Talaya Oxendine, the CIS Site Coordinator at Bird, introduced herself to one of Lexie’s classes. Lexie was instantly curious, and she visited Miss O’s office for the first time soon afterwards. Over the next four years, Miss O provided Lexie individualized support and resources through one-on-one support, and her experience at Bird improved dramatically. Together, they set attendance goals, and Miss O helped Lexie catch up in classes that she had fallen behind in. During her senior year, Lexie became one of the first students to complete the Workforce Bridge Program at Bird, a program aimed at preparing students for life after high school and exposing them to a variety of career opportunities. Lexie and Miss O built a special connection during their four years together: “I am more grateful than Miss O could know.”

After graduation, Lexie will be joining the Navy. She is looking forward to traveling and using the GI Bill to get a degree in psychology!