Rising Above Life's Hardest Challenges
When Kevondra enrolled in Directions to Diploma in January 2023, she was determined to earn the diploma that had once felt out of reach.
After attending a traditional high school and not graduating within four years, she transferred to Accelere, an Omaha Public Schools alternative program. Living with her mom and younger sister, Kevondra faced family challenges, personal struggles, and low self-esteem that made it difficult to stay focused on school.
Then she met Netta Prince, her Academic Navigator.
Over time, Netta built a relationship based on trust and encouragement. She connected Kevondra to our tutors, Career Navigator, and elective credit opportunities to support her educational goals. Netta also found resources to support Kevondra through her pregnancy through local agencies.
That support mattered. For teens navigating pregnancy, staying on track academically can be incredibly difficult. Nationally, only about half of teen mothers earn a high school diploma by age 22, compared with about 90% of their peers who do not experience a teen birth.
Standing By Students When Tragedies Occur
Then tragedy struck. Kevondra experienced a miscarriage.
Overwhelmed by grief and depression, Kevondra withdrew from school and began questioning whether any of her goals still mattered.
Through those difficult months, Netta encouraged her to seek counseling and remained a steady source of support. When family and relationship challenges threatened to derail her progress, Netta helped Kevondra stay focused on her future. Most importantly, she consistently reminded her that she was capable of success.
Slowly, Kevondra returned to class, regained her confidence, and continued working toward graduation. In May 2024, she crossed the stage and earned her high school diploma.
The Impact of One Person Believing That You Can Succeed
After graduation, Kevondra shared that no one had ever told her she was smart or capable of becoming successful until Netta did. Having someone believe in her changed the way she viewed herself and her future.
“Through so many challenges, I lost sight of my future. Netta helped me find it again. She was the only adult that told me I was smart enough to succeed. Hearing those words changed everything.”
For Kevondra, the diploma hanging on her wall represents far more than completed coursework. It represents every day she chose to keep going when giving up would have been easier. With dreams of becoming a nurse after graduation, her story reminds us that one caring adult, one resilient student, and one second chance can change the course of a life.
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