Making the grade, together

Natalie Paramo and her son Juliun Lopez will graduate together on June 6, 2026, at Oakland University Credit Union O’Rena in Michigan. Paramo, a project manager overseeing an IT team, will receive her high school diploma through Utica Community Schools’ Adult Education program, which she joined in early 2025. The program offers online and in-person options for adults seeking diplomas, high school equivalency prep, or English language instruction. Paramo dropped out of high school at 16 after discovering she was pregnant with Juliun. She initially pursued the diploma to ‘check it off her list’ but accelerated her studies to graduate alongside her son. ‘I realized if I pushed myself hard, I’d be able to graduate with my son,’ she said. Lopez, graduating from the Utica Alternative Learning Center’s self-paced program, appreciates its flexibility. ‘I just like doing it my own way,’ he noted, adding that studying near his mother—who relied on his tech help—made the experience unique. Both plan next steps in education or careers: Paramo has applied to Macomb Community College to further her IT project management skills, while Lopez leans toward workforce entry in welding. Their families are celebrating the milestone as a united achievement. The Utica Community Schools Adult Education program supports adults through diploma, equivalency, and language courses. For details, visit uticak12.org.