School Climate & Safety Photo Essay

The Road Back

By Nicole Frugé — April 25, 2012 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print
High school senior Deondre Davis flips on the trampoline at his girlfriend’s home in Cheyenne, Wyo. An ex-offender, Mr. Davis felt welcomed when he returned to his school in December. Other juvenile ex-offenders aren't so lucky.
Mr. Davis hugs his girlfriend, Alye Wagner, 14, between classes at Cheyenne Central High. A re-entry specialist from the school district works with the detention facility, the school, and the justice system to ease students back into school.
A tassel, which Cheyenne Central High School senior Deondre Davis plans on wearing when he graduates this May, hangs from the rearview mirror of his car.
Mr. Davis, who returned to Cheyenne Central High School in December after serving six months in juvenile detention, changes shoes after returning home from a strength-training session.
Mr. Davis leads his girlfriend's younger brother, Colin Wagner, through cardio- and weight-training exercises.
Mr. Davis works on a computer while working on a history project with his classmates.
Mr. Davis talks with his mother, Stephanie, at their home near downtown Cheyenne.
Mr. Davis lifts Madi Hastings into the air while playing with the tot in the backyard of his Cheyenne home. His mother, Stephanie, runs a small daycare from the family home and he had stepped in to help occupy the little girl, while her father made his way across town to pick her up.

Late for school and our meeting, Deondre “Dre” Davis arrived only after I sent him a few reminder texts. A major hurdle in documenting anyone’s life is to earn even the thinnest sliver of that person’s trust. It’s rare for folks to swing the door into their lives wide open. Thankfully, Dre, 17, a Wyoming high school senior, is one of those people who is willing to do so. We quickly made a connection and his natural calm allowed me to concentrate on accomplishing my assignment: capturing his life in less than 24 hours. Having his trust permitted me to travel the crowded halls of Cheyenne Central High School, past the walls of the classroom to focus on the moments and details of his life. —Nathan W. Armes

Related Tags:

A version of this article first appeared in the Full Frame blog.

Events

Teaching Profession K-12 Essentials Forum New Insights Into the Teaching Profession
Join this free virtual event to get exclusive insights from Education Week's State of Teaching project.
Jobs Virtual Career Fair for Teachers and K-12 Staff
Find teaching jobs and K-12 education jubs at the EdWeek Top School Jobs virtual career fair.
Mathematics K-12 Essentials Forum Helping Students Succeed in Math

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

School Climate & Safety Spotlight Spotlight on Enhancing School Safety and Emergency Response
This Spotlight will help you explore proactive measures and effective strategies for enhancing school safety and emergency response.
School Climate & Safety Leading a District After a School Shooting Is Hard. These Superintendents Want to Help
A network of superintendents who've led districts after school shootings plans to support colleagues recovering from similar crises.
4 min read
Photograph of crime scene tape and school.
F. Sheehan for Education Week / Getty
School Climate & Safety States Emphasize School Violence Prevention, Not Just Security
In the wake of school shootings in their states last year, legislators hope to avert future tragedies.
7 min read
Local residents pray during a candlelight vigil following a shooting at Perry High School, on Jan. 4, 2024, in Perry, Iowa.
Local residents pray during a candlelight vigil following a shooting at Perry High School, on Jan. 4, 2024, in Perry, Iowa. The deaths in school shootings last year have led to new legislation in a half-dozen states.
Charlie Neibergall/AP
School Climate & Safety Leader To Learn From One Leader’s Plan to Cut Chronic Absenteeism—One Student at a Time
Naomi Tolentino helps educators in Kansas City, Kan., support strong school attendance.
9 min read
Naomi Tolentino Miranda leads a meeting on student attendance at J.C. Harmon High School on Jan. 16, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas. Tolentino Miranda showed school administrators recent data reflecting positive progress in combating chronic absenteeism.
Naomi Tolentino leads a meeting on student attendance at J.C. Harmon High School on Jan. 16, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas. Tolentino showed school administrators recent data reflecting positive progress in combating chronic absenteeism.
Erin Woodiel for Education Week