Breaking Barriers: How Amenda Earned Her Diploma and Became a Chain Breaker 

Read time: 5 minutes

When Amenda Stewart reached her senior year at Globe High School, a place of learning had become a place of fear. She faced relentless bullying and began avoiding class. This caused her to fall behind on assignments and struggle to stay engaged. 

Through every difficult moment, her father remained her fiercest champion. Forced to leave school in the third grade to work on a farm, he understood the life-changing value of an education. He reminded her daily to ignore the critics, keep her head high, and focus on her assignments. From elementary school through high school, he stood by the road every morning to watch her safely board the bus. As his only daughter, Amenda was his pride and joy. 

Then one day, she was left to struggle on her own when her life’s greatest champion was no longer there. Amenda was 25 when her father passed away from cancer. Though heartbroken, she never forgot his encouragement.  

Over the years, she tried to finish GED classes three separate times, but traditional alternatives didn’t fit her goals. She wanted an authentic high school diploma. Refusing to settle for less than a diploma, she searched online for other options. Then she discovered Smart Schools and made the call that would reshape her future. 

Smart Schools program flexibility gave Amenda the freedom she needed to succeed. She brought her laptop to work so she could complete assignments during breaks. This habit allowed her to balance schoolwork with life’s everyday demands. Even on days when she was exhausted and fatigue set in, her determination never wavered. 

At 38, Amenda officially graduated as part of the Smart Schools Class of 2026. She dedicated her diploma to the memory of her late father. 

Today, it’s as though Amenda’s journey is just getting started. She is preparing to head to college as the very first person in her family to do so. 

“I’m like a chain breaker,” Amenda shared. “I’m going to break barriers. I’m still going to push forward, move forward, and make something out of myself. My name is Amenda Stewart, I’m 38, and it’s never too late to graduate.”