Class Acts of 2014: Survivor, Fighter, and Graduate

This series, Class Acts of 2014, features inspiring online education graduates with promising futures and showcases how individualized, award-winning curriculum and technology enabled these students’ success.

When Hope didn’t want to go to her local high school because she didn’t feel academically challenged, her mom looked for an alternative. At first, Ohio Virtual Academy was intended to be a short-term solution, until the unthinkable happened.

On December 15, 2010, Hope was hit by a bus.

As one would expect, she suffered severe physical and emotional trauma. Between the heavy medication and wearing a neck brace, she was unable to entertain the idea of school. Luckily, online education worked in her favor during recovery, and her teachers understood that her health came first.

Not only did her teachers understand the severity of her situation, but they worked with her to create academic plans. They didn’t forget about the work altogether, but gave her the time she needed to recover, and allowed her to catch up at a rate that was feasible.

Even when Hope returned, her recovery was far from over. She suffers from insomnia, and not sleeping at night means she had to take breaks during the day. Hope also had to take breaks for in-home physical therapy. These frequent breaks would never have been possible in a regular school setting, but online education provided the flexibility she needed.

“It’s all in what you make of it,” Hope says. “If you continue to do the work and learn, you’re able to choose your educational journey.”

Hope did just that.

Through hard work and dedication, Hope is now a graduate of Ohio Virtual Academy, and part of the Class of 2014.

She is now off to Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. Although she has not declared a major, she knows it will be music related because of her extensive instrumental talents with piano, percussion, guitar, and bass. She will also be playing tennis next year as an Allegheny Gator.

Hope is ready for this next chapter to open, and believes that online education has helped her prepare, saying “I’ve been in a brick and mortar setting, but online education gave me the technological advantage you need in today’s world.”

Congratulations, Hope! Your story is inspiring, and we know the future holds nothing but opportunity for you.

Have more questions for this graduate? Send them to social@k12.com