School

Freshmen Class /  by Justin Merriman

The freshman class of Carnegie Mellon University’s Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences visit the Heinz History Center for their orientation on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Carnegie Mellon University freshmen participate in 'House Wars,' an orientation activity, as they begin a new semester on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 on campus in Oakland, Pa. 

Carnegie Mellon University freshmen participate in 'House Wars,' an orientation activity, as they begin a new semester on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 on campus in Oakland, Pa. 

The freshman class of Carnegie Mellon University’s Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences visit the Heinz History Center for their orientation on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Dezmaire Baker /  by Justin Merriman

Dezmaire Baker, 17, gave birth to her son in eighth grade and is now a sophomore at Woodland Hills High School. Her son, Dorian, has just celebrated his second birthday.

Dezmaire Baker sits on the couch watching her 2-year-old son, Dorian, play at her family's Braddock home. Dezmaire gave birth to Dorian when she was in eighth grade.

Dorian, 2, plays with a flashlight at his Braddock home on Feb. 28, 2017.

Dorian Baker, 2, stands in the doorway of his Braddock home on Feb. 28, 2017. 

Dezmaire Baker, 17, poses for a portrait at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit in Homestead on Feb. 16, 2017.

Ronnika Baker, 36, holds her grandson, Dorian, 2, in the dining room of their Braddock home on Feb. 28, 2017.

Dorian Baker, 2, lays on the ground and laughs at a family gathering to celebrate his 2nd birthday at his Braddock home on April 3, 2017.

Dezmaire Baker, 17, helps her son, Dorian, 2, to ride a scooter along the sidewalk in front of their Braddock home on April 3, 2017.

Ronnika Baker, 36, holds her grandson, Dorian, 2, as she sits on the porch of their Braddock home on April 3, 2017.

Dezmaire participates in the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s Project ELECT Program, which helps low-income pregnant teens and teen parents focus on education, training and employment goals. Here, her son, Dorian, looks out the window at his grandmother, Ronnika Baker, 36, at their Braddock home.

As the family gathered for her son's second birthday, Dezmaire Baker watched after him and stood near the edge of the sidewalk to stop Dorian from running into the street.

Dezmaire gave birth in eighth grade. As a teen mom in Pittsburgh, she’s fighting to beat the odds and graduate. Read her story at PublicSource. 

Superintendent Hamlet /  by Justin Merriman

Newly hired Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet holds a news conference at the Pittsburgh Public School Administration offices in Oakland on Tuesday, June 7, 2016. Hamlet made a statement and answered questions about discrepancies on his resume regarding improvements in academic performance at schools in the School District of Palm Beach County during his time as an administrator there.