CAPRICE YOUNG TO SPEAK AT ALMA MATER.

Byline: Helen Gao Staff Writer

Outgoing school board President Caprice Young has an impressive resume: bachelor's degree from Yale University, master's in public administration from USC and experience as a technology consultant, business executive and assistant deputy mayor for Los Angeles.

But there is one thing missing from her resume: a high school diploma.

Today, nearly two decades after she dropped out of Birmingham High School to move to Florida with her parents, the 37-year-old mother of three will be given an honorary diploma by her alma mater. Young will also be the keynote speaker for Birmingham's Class of 2003.

``It's about full circle. It's about coming back and recognizing one of our own,'' Birmingham Principal Doris Lasiter said. ``It's more of a statement about her professional and educational accomplishments and her sense of community.''

Young, a member of the class of 1983, dropped out of Birmingham in her senior year and ended up receiving a vocational education diploma in Florida. She said she is excited about getting her ``first real diploma'' in cap and gown, alongside 572 fellow graduates.

``My message to graduating seniors is still going to be pretty corny because the basic things are still true,'' she said. ``That's simply you have to have the courage to dream and you have got to have the skills to make that dream true.''

Looking back at her education, Young described herself as a misfit who suffered in a traditional learning environment but thrived when given free rein to learn on her own through projects and internships.

``What I hope to talk a little about is people who don't fit the mold, because I was always miserable through high school,'' she said. ``I had a couple of teachers I just loved, though, because they recognized what a weirdo I was, but they allowed me to do some pretty innovative things.''

During her junior year at Birmingham, Young participated in the Capital Page School in Washington, D.C. After she dropped out of high school, she led a delegation through India and then later traveled to Mexico and studied Spanish at a university there.

During her four years on the board, some of Young's most controversial decisions were voting to increase class sizes and furloughing district employees to close budget gaps.

But what she would most like to be remembered for is her efforts to build new schools, raising student achievement in elementary schools and her leadership to change the culture of the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Young, who was defeated by retired teacher Jon Lauritzen, does not yet know what she will do next, but one thing is for certain.

``I will always be working on education issues. I will be one of the most vocal parents in the Los Angeles Unified School District,'' she said.

Helen Gao, [phone]

helen.gao(at)dailynews.com

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