High School of Computers and Technology Graduate Maura Lois Struggles to Balance Family Responsibilities and School

    Maura Lois’s first year at the High School of Computers and Technology in the Bronx was almost her last. She rarely showed up for classes and was on the verge of dropping out. Maura was overwhelmed by her duties at home: cooking, housework, caring for her younger brother and twin nephews. She is the only person in her family who speaks English, and her parents, who moved the family to New York City from Mexico when Maura was 10 years old, work long hours.

    “The house is always jumping with kids, I never get enough sleep, and it’s difficult to find time to do my school work,” Maura said. “I thought about dropping out, but a lot of people at school talked me out of it, they helped me and encouraged me to stay in school and try to graduate.”

    Maura’s high school worked with her to make her schedule more manageable. She joined the robotics team and found she excelled at it, soon becoming the team’s captain. Maura also works as a computer repair technician, helping students and staff at her school and the other schools on its campus.

    In the fall, Maura plans to attend CUNY and wants to become a physical therapist. “I feel really proud of myself and happy,” she said.

Congratulations to our Robotics Team!!!

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for taking Second Place in the 2009 FIRST Robotics Competition Regional event in Connecticut.