A Class Act: Teacher Opens Home to Student & Family After Harvey

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Friday, August 24, 2018
A Class Act: Teacher Opens Home to Student & Family After Harvey
YES Prep Southeast senior Bitia Alanis graduated with Honors, after living with her former teacher for months after Hurricane Harvey.

Earlier this year, it was the moment hundreds of seniors at YES Prep schools have worked years for - Senior Signing Day.

Over 18,000 people packed Minute Maid Park to watch YES Prep Seniors take the stage, each announcing their college choice.

For one graduating senior, the path to a full-ride scholarship has not been easy.

Bitia Alanis' Pasadena home was devastated during Hurricane Harvey. Her family was forced to huddle onto a mattress as floodwaters poured into their home.

When Alanis returned to school, her former teacher Erica Kang offered to open her home to Bitia and her family. They accepted and ended up living with Kang for most of the school year.

Now, Kang and the Alanis family are celebrating together, as Bitia Alanis announced she will attend Rhodes University in Tennessee. Despite losing her home during Harvey, Alanis graduated in the top 10 percent of her class.