Voices

MEAD Alternative school’s one-on-one attention and structure helped turn around school experience for Addison Armstrong.

Michael Graves collects experiences.

From a 9-year-old who didn’t speak a word of English to an accomplished student who finished four years of high school in three years, Yelizaveta Skoromnaya has traveled far.

Perseverance and optimism are vital for Mica Peak graduate Zach Andersen, who was homeless for nearly three years before moving to Spokane in 2013.

Kathryn O’Connor, an English teacher at Freeman High School, frequently likes to refer to her student Tristan Albrecht as an “old soul.” Albrecht, 17, is mature for his age. The senior, who will attend Western Washington University next year, has already decided on his major – English with a literature focus. And he wants to be an English teacher.

Lexus Simmons loves her mother, but because of circumstances is not able to see her very much. At age 17, Simmons is the youngest of 10 half-, step- and full siblings and has largely been raised by her father.

Nick Snyder loves to challenge himself with everything from performing in school plays to participating in Socratic seminars. Challenging himself is a way to defy the expectations.

Now a high school senior, Wereley’s Affordable Lawn and Outdoor Services has grown into a business with corporate accounts and jobs booked months in advance.

Classical Christian Academy senior Rachel Dykes has tentative plans to study physics and perhaps, some day, the mysteries of space.

The Community School defines itself as “a school of choice where every student can flourish in a personalized learning environment.” And for graduating senior Megan McHale, that’s exactly what it turned out to be.

Caleb Johnson sees a positive in most any situation. His bright-side perspective even extends to having had limited vision since age 4.

Deer Park High School senior Savanah Haney spent the first three years of her high school career juggling classwork with an unhealthy home life, spurred by her parents’ split and grief after the death of her brother from an accident.

No matter what she’s doing, 18-year-old Deer Park Home Link senior Ashley Hanson can’t help but connect with the people she’s around. For Hanson, the people make the memories – whether through volunteering, traveling or agriculture-related duties – even more special.

In March, generosity filled a classroom’s collection jar beyond most typical school penny drives.

During football games, most of the student body is sitting up in the cold bleachers of the student section, staying warm by yelling and jumping up and down. While Jessica Trotter’s peers crowd together shoulder to shoulder, she is down on the sidelines scraping mud out of the athletes’ cleats and cutting up oranges for them to eat at halftime.

Medical Lake senior Alex Garza had high hopes for what life would be like in high school, but he admits that he never thought it would turn out as well as it has for him.

Makenzie Kirstein finished high school with near-perfect grades, is already enrolled in college, has a clear idea of what’s in store for her future, and the means to get there are within reach.

Elijah Schreibeis spent the first five weeks of life in an intensive care nursery, his tiny body medicated with morphine to counter violent withdrawals from the heroin and alcohol he’d become addicted to in his mother’s womb.