HomeProfiles of Students, Staff, TeachersGrads with Grit

Grads with Grit

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

Toughing it out through troubled times, she sets her sights on college

Grads with Grit Morgan Jarema

Before coming to the district, Ivy and her two brothers -- one older, one younger -- had lived in 16 different homes and been in and out of a half-dozen schools as a result...

From homelessness to supporting himself, he’s ready for college

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Technically homeless, Tristen Foley worked and studied around the clock to get his diploma...

Determined grad finds her way from life-altering earthquake to success

Grads with Grit Janice Holst

Coming to U.S. from Haiti just two years ago, Roodflore Winkels has accomplished much and is reaching for new heights...

Coming from struggle, Somali student wants to ‘change someone’s life’

Grads with Grit Morgan Jarema

A Forest Hills Northern High School graduate born in war-torn Somalia plans to leverage the opportunities he has been given in this country to help children and families adjust to the U.S. and its culture...

‘You can’t rely on other people to build you up’

Grads with Grit Morgan Jarema

Shane Brewer admits he once did “the bare minimum” in school. “I just scraped along. It’s not that I’m not smart. I just didn’t see the point.” Until he did...

Undaunted by Disease, Staying the Course

Grads with Grit School News Network

Standing in a hall of Sparta High School, Steven Sevarns wore a smile that might suggest he wasn't headed to class that day. He...

A ‘Battler’ who Wouldn’t Settle for Less

Caledonia School News Network

Brittney Schnicke's first thought as she stared at her limp, badly damaged fingers was not whether she would be able to keep them, or...

Shooting for the Top

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Donnie Alford owns his past with a perspective on where he comes from, where he is today and why it all matters that seems...

Diploma: ‘I Feel Like it Changed My Life’

Grads with Grit Charles Honey

Tyler Zahnke sat down at his musical instrument – aka, his Toshiba laptop – and proceeded to open a wonder-box of sounds. He called...

Drawing a Path to Her Future

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Katie Bork's drawings explode with imagination. Scenes in black ink reveal a world right out of her brain. Faceless people go about their daily...

Unbreakable Spirit

Grads with Grit Linda Odette

A recent district grad who's lived his life with serious health problems is on his way to Harvard, an accomplishment that surprised even him. Justin...

‘A Better Life, a Safe Life, a Good Future’

Grads with Grit Charles Honey

In a swirling sea of students in red and white caps and gowns who were hugging family members and being photographed, Abdulhadi Aljazaeri stood...

Future Takes Flight: ‘I Will Do Whatever It Takes’

Grads with Grit Charles Honey

Nolte Cunningham’s first experience on a plane was really bad. He was about 6 years old, on a flight taking his sister to the...

Determination over Depression: Future Trooper Found New Home and Career Calling

Grads with Grit Charles Honey

Editor’s note: This is the last of our “Grads with Grit” series about students who have overcome unusual challenges and hardships to graduate this...

From Genocide to College, Rwandan Refugee Student Keeps Faith Strong

Grads with Grit Charles Honey

Editor's note: This is the seventh of a series about students who have had to overcome unusual challenges and hardships to graduate this spring. Moses Kabandana...

Through Homelessness and Hardship, Northview Graduate Did What He Had to Do

Grads with Grit Charles Honey

Editor's note: This is the sixth of a series about students who have had to overcome unusual challenges and hardships to graduate this spring. Randy McCant...

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ABOUT US

School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent County, which enroll more than 90,000 students. Founded in 2013, we are an editorially independent news site funded by Kent ISD, local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and photojournalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues that enhance or discourage student success, and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

Second-grade teacher: literacy is a civil right

Her motto of ‘always work hard’ leads to early graduation

‘This is when my life starts getting better’: EGR senior pushes through painful loss

‘You can do anything and everything’

Book battle promotes literacy, teamwork

Future health care pros sample multiple career focuses

Young readers follow the recipe for perfect pound cake

Young engineers turn paper into a wild ride

Red Hawk Rivals episode 2: ‘Cornhole’

High-school journalists provide behind-the-scenes look at news production

Basketball team unites students, promotes inclusion

His heart is in the health care field

Grads with Grit

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