My name is Esmeralda McLaughlin and last week I graduated from Lake Powell School. I am in a class of one — meaning, I am the only person in my entire grade.
I began attending Lake Powell School when I was just starting high school. Before that I lived in the Caribbean. My island is called Grand Cayman.
My family and I moved to the United States in 2019 when I was only 14 years old. My biological father gave my mom and stepdad the okay to bring me here.
In 2020, I lost my dad due to a car accident. I didn’t get to go to his funeral or say goodbye. It was really hard for me, but something that kept me going was the memory of him and the promises I had made to him — which was that I would finish high school and go to college.
He was a big reason I took my education seriously. Also, seeing how proud I made my mom and stepdad made me want to go even more. My stepdad didn’t graduate from high school, so by me doing so, I felt like he had too.
My time at Lake Powell School was great. We didn’t have any in-person teacher just for me, but we had IVC classes. Even though I was the only one, each teacher made sure I was a part of the class. In my last year for high school I was already done with my high school credits so I decided to take some college classes. At the end of the year I had 12 college credits.
Everyone from the teacher, students, and even the janitors made me feel safe and appreciated.
This goes to show that if you really want to do something, you can. It might be hard but the most important thing to do is try, try your best.
Now let me give some advice to my 12 fellow students. With each grade you advance, it will be harder than the one before. This just means you have to work a little harder. When you try something new, it’s okay to fail, just don’t take it as a loss. Take it as a win. Why, you may ask? Because this is a teaching moment and you can learn and do better the next time.
I strongly encourage everyone to finish high school. Whether that’s taking the GED or just graduating from high school. I do know college isn’t for everyone so I’m not telling you to go to college, but it will be good for you. Always remember that no matter what you do in life, it will always be a teaching moment. Life is full of lessons and you will never stop learning. Keep your head up.
If you feel like giving up and don’t want to finish school, look to your loved ones and do it for them. If they don’t care whether or not you finish school, please do it for you. You deserve it!
I call this school my hope. I say that because it was my second chance to get my life together and the teachers made sure of that. They always pushed me to do my very best. Because it was a small school I got the necessary attention I needed. They always noticed my bad days and good days.
I love my small community. I wouldn’t change coming here for the world. Thank you to the teachers and students at Lake Powell School for helping me succeed in this life.
– by Esmerelda McLaughlin (18) Bullfrog
Feature image caption: Esmae McLaughlin gives the valedictory address at the Lake Powell School Graduation on May 24, 2023. About 40 people attended the commencement ceremony. Esmae was the only graduate from Lake Powell School this year.