Attending high school online his freshman year, Alex found virtual learning challenging. He “struggled with staying focused,” he shared. “I would often slack off, procrastinate, and ignore my work.” After falling behind in his coursework, Alex knew he didn’t want to repeat his freshman year. “My parents and I decided that enrolling at Aloma would be the best choice.”

Alex’s siblings had also attended Aloma High School, but despite the school’s familiarity, his first day “felt a little strange,” he admitted.  “However, I left that day with a goal of graduating early.” In pursuit of that goal, he found support from both teachers and staff. “Mr. Sax and Mr. C played a big role in helping me stay on track,” he said. “They were always there whenever I needed help.” With encouragement and consistent effort, Alex was able to raise his GPA from a failing grade to a B average. In addition to his classwork, Alex attended regular math sessions with Mrs. Vega and utilized Reading Plus, both of which he says contributed to his success on his state exams.

As graduation approached, Dr. Burns became another important source of support. “I appreciated how much the staff supported students and pushed us to complete our work.” Reflecting on his time in high school, Alex shared that his experience at Aloma taught him a valuable lesson that he believes will apply far beyond the classroom. “When there is an opportunity in front of you, it’s important to take it instead of taking it for granted. I learned teachers are there to help you, but only if you are willing to show up, put in the effort, and respect them. If you are not willing to do that, they have no reason to push you as much.”

Looking ahead Alex’s short-term goal is to save for a car so he can enroll in trade school for electrical work. While he is still exploring different programs, his future aspirations are clear. “My long-term goal is to become licensed in electrical work and earn my general contractor license. Eventually, I hope to start my own business, working on houses and either renting or selling them.”

His advice to other Aloma students is to “stick to your plan. Whether your goal is to earn a few credits and return to your original school or to graduate early…stay committed to it and keep doing your work.” Over time, he says, “the work becomes less difficult as long as you focus on one thing at a time and ask questions when needed.”