Valenzuela held her own certificate. But in a way, she left empty-handed. She does not qualify for a diploma after failing the English part of the high school exit exam -- a denial she keenly felt during the ceremony.
If she wants to go into nursing she absolutely needs to be fluent in English. Jumping into college immediately would be a mistake, she ought to take English classes now and then go to college.
A lot of people are going to college unprepared, having to take remedial courses to get caught up, and then still dropping out.
"If she wants to go into nursing she absolutely needs to be fluent in English"
Apparently you have never been in a hospital in California.
I've haven't been in one as a paitent but even 20 years ago doing work on them there were very few nurses that could speak much english or any at all.