More than two dozen young mothers in Rochester celebrated reaching a milestone as they received their high school diplomas.

Each year, the YWCA's Young Parents Support Services helps more than 200 teenage mothers navigate the challenges of parenting and achieving their educational goals.

Thirty young women were recognized during a special ceremony Thursday evening at the Kate Gleason Auditorium inside the Rundel Library in Rochester.

"The bulk of the young women that we're serving are really living in poverty so their family has a lot of stress on it, because of just financial stresses," said Jean Carroll, YWCA President and CEO.

LaShondra Clark, 19, of Rochester, became the first in her immediate family to earn a diploma. She was pregnant at age 15 and dropped out of Franklin High School. With the help of the YWCA, five months later, LaShondra went back to night school, managed to keep her job and care for her newborn son.

"I just got a real chill through my body like I did it. I never thought I'd be able to see and look at my own high school diploma," said Clark.

Clark is one of several graduates who plan to attend college in the fall.