Grads with Grit
A series about students who have had to overcome unusual challenges and hardships to graduate this spring.
Overcoming homelessness to get her degree, she’s ready to help others
Jordan Lovett, once homeless, graduated from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She is eager to advocate for others facing similar struggles to her own...
‘A drive to prove myself’
Brittle bone disease has not stopped Thornapple Kellogg senior Kaleb Sydloski from taking part in band, swimming and tennis while in high school...
From Grief and Recovery to Graduation
This high school senior survived a deadly car accident, determined to re-build his physical strength and graduate with his class...
‘Your worst situation … can make you the best person that you can be’
Self-reliant since early childhood, Tiana Studebaker’s path to graduation was filled with instability. At commencement, she tipped her hat to her alternative school classmates for their perseverance...
‘Surround yourself with people who care about you’
Aubrey Robinson had a tough go before switching to Northview from another district. But once she did, she soared...
‘I didn’t give myself any other option’
When Don Zandbergen was suspended from school the second semester of his junior year, he knew he could just not go back. That thought lasted about a second...
Diagnosis, robotics shape her confidence, drive & compassion
Senior Ellie Clark keeps herself busy helping run her organization, Ellie’s Elephants, which has raised more than $350,000 for diabetes research since 2004. She was diagnosed with the condition when she was 4...
The world is now the stage for graduate who overcame behavioral issues
Shamar is known as a jokester, a fun-loving, energetic student. He dreams of becoming a professional actor. But he spent several years constantly in trouble and struggling to find his way...
Blessed and grateful: challenges faced with positive attitude
Senior Cayleigh Constance has overcome challenges from family illness to mental health. After a four-month hiatus, she’s on track to graduate this year...
Passion for dance, hometown values will follow this grad to college and beyond
Coping with loss, yet this graduate heads to college with confidence and hometown values...
‘No matter what life throws at us, we grow, like flowers’
Said counselor Elle Burgess of Elizabeth Walski’s positivity in the face of numerous challenges, 'If anyone has shown they have grit, it’s her'
‘He’s ready for the world’
Byron Center High School senior Nik Ursiny will graduate May 23 after learning to manage and overcome physical and mental conditions -- taking hold of his own story and advocating for himself...
She’s come so far
Farhiya realized her self-created predicament was sad, but she also knew she could get herself out of it...
Running the good race, from refugee camp to top student-athlete
Jama Jafari Jama has been through rough times, but he says nothing will stop him in the long journey now before him, starting with a scholarship at Aquinas College...
MySchool@Kent students overcome obstacles to get to graduation
Students choose online high school for a variety of reasons. Here, a few of this year’s graduates reflect...
Strong faith, desire to help pushes her to be healing force through song
Despite tremendous loss, and mental and physical ailments, MacKenzie Van Dorp is off to the country music capital to pursue a career in music...
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