By Julie Z. Giese
News-Sentinel staff writer

Ana Valencia used to follow her family working in the farm fields, spending part of the year in the United States and the other half in Mexico.

Jordan Mahaffey needed to make up academic credits after struggling with some classes at Lodi High School.

Nadia Martinez sought out a flexible schedule so she could care for her baby son.

The three teen-agers found solutions to their personal challenges through alternative education programs at Liberty High School. The school honored the trio at its graduation ceremony May 30.

After spending time traveling between Mexico and California with her family, Valencia found herself short credits to graduate. Valencia, 17, decided to leave her parents behind to live with relatives in Lodi to complete her education.

“It was really hard because I had never really been apart from my parents,” she said.

She ended up at Liberty, where she was warmly received, she said.

Jordan Mahaffey

“I felt welcomed at Liberty. The teachers and students were friendly,” she said.

Valencia plans to follow in the footsteps of her older sister, Ali, who graduated from Liberty last year and attends college.

She is looking to attend Yuba City College to become a licensed vocational nurse.

Mahaffey transferred to Liberty last year to make up a 15-credit shortage.

“I had wanted to go back, but I decided to stay here because I liked it,” the 18-year-old said. “The teachers pay more attention to you than a lot of other high schools.”

Mahaffey discovered a passion for film making through working on his senior project, a comprehensive hands-on project required by Lodi Unified School District for graduation.

Nadia Martinez

He hopes to become a film producer in the future. He plans to attend Porterville College in the fall then later transfer to University of California, Los Angeles.

“You have to set your goals high and then go for it,” Mahaffey said.

Martinez, 18, decided to enroll in Liberty’s independent study program after her son, Preston, was born two years ago.

“Being able to stay home with my child was the best thing for me,” she said.

She found the support she needed through her teachers as well as a flexible schedule.

Martinez plans to pursue a career in law enforcement. She’ll study at San Joaquin Delta College in the fall.