“I thought my life was over,“ says Ashleigh Page, when she relates how she had to tell her mom she was pregnant.
At the time, Ashleigh was only 15 and doing her grade 10 at Plumstead High.
That was early in 2019. Ashleigh was one of 2 283 Western Cape pupils who fell pregnant that year, according to official data from the provincial education department. It seemed inevitable that the Athlone teen would become another statistic and another “high school drop out”.
But nearly three years later, Ashleigh is wrapping up her schooling career in impressive fashion. Not only is she one of the top matriculants at her school, she also cleaned up at the awards ceremony this year.
But to really appreciate the 18-year-old’s incredible journey, and just how far she’s come, we have to go back 25 February 2019, the day she broke the news that she was expecting, to her mother, Natalie Simpson.
Simpson tells this part of the story the best. "When Ash told me, I just laughed. I thought she was joking. I had bought her something new. I came home (from work) all excited, I had some new bras for her. I said, you should see what I got you, I got it on sale. She starts crying and says ’I don’t deserve this.’ And I look at her and I ask, are you pregnant? And she says yes. I automatically think she is joking. Because it can’t be true. But she showed me the (pregnancy) test. I sat there in absolute shock."
After a decent amount of tears and talking, the pair plotted and planned the way forward.
“It was very difficult. Because Ashleigh wanted me to take the decision on whether or not to keep the baby,” explained Simpson. “And I said to her, whatever decision you make, I’ve got your back. It is your decision. Because if I make it, you are going to hold me accountable for the rest of my life. And I can't have that."
Ashleigh chose to keep the baby. She kept going to school with a growing belly until July and then continued handling her assignments from home.
“My friends at school were there to support me. They didn’t judge me. No-one at school bullied me, or called me names,” Ashleigh said.
“She got all her lessons and her notes from her teachers,” said Simpson. “The teacher who really helped her was her home room teacher, Ms Macranas. She would phone me, she would WhatsApp me. She said to me, whatever happens, she would be there for us.”
Erica Macranas has been a teacher for 32 years, and 25 of them have been spent at Plumstead High. “I’m a teacher at heart, and believe that it isn’t a choice, but a calling,” she says. “Love them first before you teach them, are the words I use to describe what I do in the classroom.”
Baby Madison Page was born in October 2019.
For the next two school years, Ashleigh managed to channel her inner super powers and found a way to balance being a mom with her academic responsibilities.
“I worked harder when I returned to school (in January 2020) after having my baby,” said Ashleigh.
Macranas said she never doubted for a second that the youngster would be up to the task. “Ashleigh always had amazing potential. And there was a maturity about her that made me believe she’d make it work."
Ashleigh credits the support of her family, as well as her partner Caleb Demas and his family for her success.
“My family and friends motivated me. My mommy was my main supporter. Even Caleb’s mommy said to me ’you can still be something’.”
Ashleigh got five awards this year for Maths literacy, Consumer Studies, Life orientation and Geography. She also got a prize for her role as vice chairperson for the Matric Council of Learners.
She admitted that the last two years have not been easy. “I thought it was going to be a walk in the park. There were days I didn’t know if I would be able to do it (balance being a mum and a high school student). I would say to my mommy, ’I am tired, I can’t go to school today’. And I would say stay at home. And then there were days I would say to myself, ’I am going to go to school, push through and just do it’,” she said.
Ashleigh added: “Mock exams in September were hectic. I was stressed out. I was crying every day. I had anxiety, because I didn’t know how I was going to balance looking after Madi and finding time to study, because she was all over me all the time. But I had the support of my family. I was very happy that I had all of them with me. There are not many girls who have this kind of support system. I had it. And I am grateful for that.”
Kerry Mauchline, spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Minister Debbie Schafer, said: “Our district specialised support teams provide psychosocial support to (pregnant) learners and aim to ensure that they return to school after the delivery of the baby – it is very important for learners to complete their education. Learner pregnancy prevention programmes are also rendered from the social work components.”
The matric exams are in progress. Ashleigh’s giving it all she’s got. Her future plans have already been mapped out. She intends to fulfil a long-time dream of becoming a beauty therapist. She has applied to the College of Cape Town and already nailed her entry exam for a two-year beauty therapy course. “I went for my interview and they said I am definitely getting in if I pass matric.”
And she even has her eyes set on more qualifications afterwards. “I want to study a few more courses in make-up specifically, because that is my passion, that is what I want to do.”
There are so many who can draw inspiration from Ashleigh’s story. Teacher Macranas says she is incredibly proud. “She is a strong young lady who could have folded in a difficult situation. But instead showed immense courage and determination,” she said.
Weekend Argus