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Grads with Grit

A series proudly sponsored by Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, about students who have had to overcome unusual challenges and hardships to graduate this spring.

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...

Student Graduates after Riding Train of Death through Mexico

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

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

Cerebral Palsy and Learning Disability Haven’t Stopped EGR Grad

East Grand Rapids Erin Albanese

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

From the Congo to Comstock Park: Refugee to Graduate with Near-Perfect GPA in Two Years

Comstock Park Erin Albanese

Editor’s note: This is the third in a series about students who have had to overcome unusual challenges and hardships to graduate this spring When...

Graduating Senior Battles Disease with Unconventional Approach

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Editor's Note: This is the second of a series about students who have had to overcome unusual challenges and hardships to graduate this spring. Alexis...

Car Crash Couldn’t Stop Him from Walking – or Marching

Cedar Springs Charles Honey

Editor's Note: This is the first of a series about students who have had to overcome unusual challenges and hardships to graduate this spring. Kaleb...

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ABOUT US

School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent ISD, which enroll more than 102,000 students. Founded in 2013 as an initiative of Kent ISD, we are supported by local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and multimedia journalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues facing students and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

Her career path was laid in first grade

She helps students develop language, read, write & grow

Not just a volunteer, but ‘a piece of the library’

He is demonstrating how important English is in business

Partnership pairs high-schoolers with scientists for real-world research

Simulated crime ties science, critical thinking & data analysis

Opportunities abound at first in-house career fair

Partnership with Black-founded nonprofit brings dedicated learning space

Learning life skills ‘where life happens’

State of the Student tackles four big topics

High-schoolers talk mental health with education leaders, legislators

Student news crew interviews state superintendent

Grads with Grit

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