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Grads with Grit

A series about students who have had to overcome unusual challenges and hardships to graduate this spring.

Journey of survival, hard work, inspires him to inspire others

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Six years ago hewas in an Indonesian detention center. Today he is a recipient of Western Michigan University’s most prestigious merit-based scholarship...

‘I want to do that’

Grads with Grit Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

The encouragement of co-workers helped her discover Kent ISD adult education and its career and technical ed programs...

With his eye on the goal

Grads with Grit Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Godwin’s Ru’Quan Buckley was not going to let anything -- including a pandemic -- stop him from achieving his goal...

Turning pain into motivation

Grads with Grit Cris Greer

An abusive relationship could not deter this university-bound senior from excelling...

While embracing her roots, student leader steps forward

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

The daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, Quyen Tran was instrumental in elevating the work of the Asian Student Union at East Kentwood High School. She is now headed to Harvard with a sense of purpose and humanitarian goals...

Dad helped daughter succeed through his actions

Grads with Grit Cris Greer

Larica Brown and her father, Lorenzo, worked hard to make a better life for themselves in the United States...

‘There’s no replacing Milton’

Grads with Grit Bridie Bereza

This student went from principal’s office regular to class leader and role model...

‘Father figure’ uses positivity to succeed

Grads with Grit Cris Greer

Next stop: Michigan State University...

A father’s love, a son’s devotion, a school success

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Arec Winright used his memory of his father as motivation to do well in school and work hard toward graduation...

‘So many doors have opened’

Grads with Grit Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

With the aid of Kent ISD’s Project NorthStar, a new father made a choice that led him to not only graduate, but to do so early...

Setting out with a camera to change the world for the better

Grads with Grit Charles Honey

Mariah Barrera, who has already made her mark with several award-winning short films, plans to pursue her passion at Columbia University in New York City...

‘Following a map and the sky’

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Adjy Jean spent years as an unaccompanied youth, displaced and moving from country to country. Now, after three years settled in Michigan, he will graduate from East Kentwood High School...

‘I have to push myself’

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Rodrigo Lopez-Ruiz, whose family lives in Mexico, has worked hard to support himself and take accountability during high school, overcoming odds to graduate. He also serves others through his job at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital...

From childhood struggles in Georgia to student leader at Comstock Park

Grads with Grit Karen Gentry

Switching states and school systems after a difficult childhood, Abbie Glass blossomed into a student leader at Comstock Park High School...

She’s ‘small but mighty’ and ready to fly

Grads with Grit Phil de Haan

Despite a time of homelessness in ninth grade, and the COVID-19 school closure as a senior, Kelloggsville senior Naudia Potts is set to graduate and has been accepted to Central Michigan University where she will major in social work...