“Smarter Than I Was Giving Myself Credit For”
How North Nicholas helped Jenevaeh recognize her academic capabilities and make graduation a reality.
Before enrolling at North Nicholas High School, Jenevaeh experienced a series of medical issues that affected her attendance. “My old school wasn’t helping all,” she shared. “They told me my only choice was dropping out or getting my GED.” Jenevaeh refused to accept either of those outcomes. She believed she was capable of earning her diploma, and it was her mother who found North Nicholas High School.
Though she was hesitant to enroll at first, her experience at North Nicholas immediately exceeded her expectations. “They treated me like an adult with a future,” she said. “They made me feel like I had options and that I wouldn’t be the failure that I heard so many times before from my other school.” With a renewed sense of optimism and reassurance from her mom and teachers, Jenevaeh’s doubts surrounding graduating began to fade as she was able to recognize her academic capabilities. “I was smarter than I was giving myself credit for,” she said.
Jenevaeh recognized several teachers as contributors to her success at North Nicholas. When she first arrived on campus, Ms. Davis made her feel welcome and safe. “She helped me push with my classes and actually coming to school,” she said. Facing a particularly overwhelming English assignment, “one so bad I cried,” she remembers, Mrs. Sobloscky “helped me push though that hurdle.” And in math she frequently turned to Mr. T when problems were challenging. “He showed me that he cared, and every day he would lift me up, especially on the days where I just wanted to dropout, he told me I that could do it.” With their support, Jenevaeh was able to raise her GPA a full letter grade and completed her graduation requirements in the spring of 2026.
Looking ahead, Jenevaeh plans to join the Navy, attend college and eventually medical school. “I’ve wanted to be a neurosurgeon since I was 11,” she shared. “If you asked me two years ago I would’ve never thought it was truly possible; now I do.” Reflecting on her time in high school, Jenevaeh’s advice to her younger self or anyone in a similar situation is simple. “Push yourself more than you ever thought you could. Go to school, do work,“ she said. “Graduating means everything to me. I didn’t think I could make it past 17, but now having a diploma it opens so many doors for me I never thought would be possible.”
