Meet the Class of 2025: Nikki Hernandez, CBK Charter School

School was never difficult for Nikki Hernandez but due to instability at home, she couldn’t give it her full attention.

"Going from house to house, my mom saying hurtful things to me, trying to balance school, it was all just so much. It really wasn’t a healthy environment for me.” Nikki said as she reflected on her past.

For sixteen years, Nikki has fought to gain her rights from her mom. During her freshman year of high school, this fight made her struggle with depression, fall behind in school, and self-isolate.

“I didn't think I was going to graduate, and if I did, I thought I would’ve been held back by a lot trying to finish my credits.”

Within her first two years of high school, Nikki moved three times between homes and school districts. Nikki was later enrolled in the CBK Charter School—an independent study program operated by the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE). There, Nikki established a sense of stability and finally found happiness and safety with her Nina and Nino, her godparents.

“My Nina and Nino mean a lot to me because they helped me a lot from where I was. They’ve helped me with getting me to where I need to be, being able to open up, and gave me the safe space to talk to them.”

With the love her godparents and newfound support from her teacher Susan Neal, a Specialized Academic Instruction Teacher for CBK Charter in Desert Hot Springs, Nikki was able to make up her freshman and sophomore year credits and get back on track during her junior year.

CBK Charter allowed Nikki to work at her own pace while Mrs. Neal provided Nikki with a healthy learning environment and took the time to understand Nikki’s situation.

“Mrs. Neal helped me open up about everything, which was hard, but now I am able to talk more about how I feel instead of being closed off,” Nikki expressed, “She is my teacher, but she also gives a sort of friendship vibes.”

Nikki went from being a failing student to completing her courses with flying colors and graduated after her junior year of high school.

Not only has Nikki excelled in her classes, but she has also demonstrated resilience through personal challenges, pursued her passion for helping others, and become the first in her family to graduate from high school. All this amazing work is why Mrs. Neal recommended Nikki to give the graduation speech for her class.

“Nikki has opened up and shown what a driven, empathetic, and talented young woman she is. I was honored when Nikki felt safe enough to share more details of her struggles with me so that I could help her,” Mrs. Neal recalled with admiration. “Nikki never complained about her challenges and always searched for new, innovative solutions. I was touched to learn she will be the first in her immediate family to graduate from high school.”

Due to inaccessibility to personal documentation related to her adoptive parent, she has not been able to apply for her driver's license, a job, or college. But that is not stopping Nikki. In fact, it’s only motivating her more. 

Nikki is pushing towards graduating early because once she graduates, she will have the freedom she has longed for and proven to everyone that she did not follow in her mom’s footsteps.

“People tell me, ‘You're going to end up like her’, and I know I’m not, but I can't really say that until I feel myself walking at graduation.” 

For Nikki, graduation is more than just a milestone that most people reach; it marks the end of a battle and the beginning of a new chapter. “I am going to feel so relieved when it’s all over, I know I will finally get my freedom.”

At the age of sixteen, Nikki has already planned to enroll in California State University, San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus to study psychology.

Like everyone, Nikki has many goals she is anxious to accomplish. She wants to buy a car, own a home somewhere close to the beach, travel, and graduate from college.

She hopes to one day become a social worker to make a difference in the system and in the lives of the children who are in it. Her mission is to be what she never had: someone who listens, takes kids seriously, and, most of all, is a voice for those in need.

“Nikki is a rare example of a young person who uses her strengths to fight for the better future she imagines for herself, her family, and her community. Her indomitable spirit and unfailing vision make Nikki's success only a matter of time. The honor of helping her along her journey to college despite the hurdles of lacking the proper information and documentation is one of the many reasons for teaching at CBK, where we can truly work closely with students to craft their best path forward,” said Mrs. Neal while reflecting on Nikki’s journey.

Nikki didn’t just learn about math equations, science experiments, and historical events through her high school experience—she learned one of the greatest lessons in life.

“I’ve learned that I am enough.”