Mark Wahlberg published an article he wrote on Huffington Post’s website titled “Winning My Toughest Role Yet: High School Grad.” Wahlberg writes his experience finally getting his high school diploma after so many years since he dropped out of the ninth grade. He says that most dropouts don’t end up with successful Hollywood careers and he was very lucky, especially since he has such a checkered past. Growing up, Wahlberg was in trouble with the police 20-25 times according to Wikipedia. As a young teen, he became addicted to cocaine and committed several hate crimes against black children and two Vietnamese men. Wahlberg was charged with attempted murder and was sentenced to two years in state prison for assault. Since these crimes, Wahlberg has expressed deep regret and decided to turn his life around, which brings us to today.
In Wahlberg’s letter for the Huffington Post, he brings awareness to the problem of high school dropouts in today’s society and talks about his charity.
Through my charity, the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, I’ve partnered with organizations making a difference, like the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. Their Graduate for Más program empowers teens to make a personal commitment to graduate high school while providing the tools, support and community that high school students need to stay on track – resources I wish I had access to as a teen.
Wahlberg then reveals what he’s been doing to better his own situation this past year.
I was fortunate to find out I could attend high school online. For almost a year, I’ve been taking classes and studying any chance I could get – on the set, traveling for work and at home. It has been both humbling and challenging, but I’m happy to report that I am officially a high school graduate, having received my diploma this summer.
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Mark Wahlberg Finally Gets High School Diploma