American Idol contestant chooses to go back to school

Those of us who fight to end the dropout epidemic understand the damage that can be done by celebrities who brag about leaving school.

Last year, for example, hip-hop artist Drake advised teens to “follow their hearts” to pursue a dream, even if that means dropping out of high school to do so.  

One American Idol contestant, Travis Orlando, who was recently voted off the singing talent show, had done just that.

The 18-year-old singer grew up in the Bronx, and he told judges his mother walked out on him and his father, who has cancer. They were evicted from their apartment and live in a homeless shelter. He decided last year to drop out of school to pursue his music career.

But according to an article on Fox News Latino, a camerawoman on set encouraged him to go back to school.

Orlando has enrolled at the Adult Learning Center at Lehman College in the Bronx, where he can earn his GED.

It would have been better had Orlando not dropped out in the first place, and it would be even better if he could earn a high school diploma instead of a GED, as research demonstrates the latter offers little economic advantage.   

But it’s encouraging to see a dropout realize that the only way to lead the life he wants is to pursue his education. It’s a message that is too often lost in the one-in-ten-million cases where a dropout makes it big.

What do you think about celebrities encouraging teens to leave behind education to pursue their dreams? What are effective ways to show students the life of a dropout rarely results in fame and fortune?