It’s over.
It went by so fast, you may be thinking.
Or, I can’t believe I made it through.
Maybe you’re overcome by a feeling of I wish I could stay.
I can’t wait to get outta here, you might tell yourself.
It’s graduation season. This time of year can be an emotional Cuisinart, mixing and mashing conflicting feelings until you’re not sure what it means to you. One thing’s for sure, though: It’s big. That diploma is more than a piece of paper. It’s hours and hours of sweat, tears, and blood. It’s hair, pulled out over an impossible exam. It’s cheers as your team wins for the first time in months. It’s friends, family, and Friday nights spent relaxing after another grueling week.
Graduation is the milestone of milestones. For high school graduates, it’s where the stakes really ramp up. For college graduates, it’s where you finally become a real adult. Every spring, caps and gowns grace the Harman Building atrium during Continuing Education graduation ceremonies. This year, these ceremonies mean more than ever.
Let’s take a look at some of this year’s Online High School graduates. These students are examples of faith, persistence, and academic excellence.
Sherry Chambers
Sherry’s journey is one of unshakeable resilience. The Chicagoan initially investigated education with BYU as early as 2014—someone at her high school recommended BYU programs—but health complications brought cyclonic disruption to Sherry’s life.
Despite Sherry’s trials, she’s been able to take control of her education and keep moving forward. BYU Online High School courses have proven invaluable. The flexible nature of Sherry’s coursework has changed the game: “Self-pacing was a blessing. I still deal with health challenges, and even if I’m not feeling good, I can at least put a couple of hours in,” she says. It’s not easy, but amid surgeries and recovery, Sherry’s able to keep the ball rolling.
Sherry hasn’t let her health struggles lower the bar. Her goals are as high as ever, and she’s laser-focused on making them a reality. In her younger years, she had an affinity for do-it-yourself fashion; if an outfit wasn’t good enough, she’d find a way to make it outstanding. This love for fashion design has blossomed as she’s pursued her education with BYU.
“I’ve always wanted to go into fashion. I took a [BYU] fashion course, and it solidified the fact that I still want to do that,” Sherry says. She’ll be applying to a prominent art school in Chicago, intent on pursuing her passion and developing her talents. Eventually, Sherry’s goal is to be the designer behind her own brand.
BYU Online High School has also had a big impact on Sherry’s spiritual outlook. As a devout Christian, her connection to Christ was what got her through the toughest of times: “I sang at my church. That was the thing that got me through the really, really dark times when I was having my health issues.” Her values align with the Christ-centered mission of BYU Continuing Education, helping her stay afloat while the storms rage.
Sherry's resilience and faith have turned her health struggles into stepping stones, propelling her toward her dreams and blessing those around her. We’re excited to see what life holds for her post-graduation!
Claire Griffiths
Claire is a pioneer.
As a member of BYU Online High School’s second graduating class, she’s seen the program from its earliest days. As its current Student Council President, she’s catalyzed a staggering amount of growth, change, and evolution. She’s a student, a leader, a friend—and her journey has been transformative, though unexpected.
Hailing from Glenn Rose, Texas, this high-school senior was thrown into online schooling by COVID. Like most, she rolled with the punches. Unlike most, though, her online journey didn’t end after a year or two. A back condition and the ensuing surgery threw her into an unexpected gauntlet of slow, meticulous recovery.
At a public school, three months of recovery just wouldn’t work. While researching alternatives, Claire and her family found BYU Online High School, which she joined in 2021. Initially planning on leaving after a year, Claire loved the experience enough to stick with it, even after a full recovery.
“The teachers really want you to succeed; they’re so willing to work with you. It’s a very motivating environment,” Claire says. “I also love the flexibility; I’ve been able to travel with my family, go to doctor’s appointments, and just not be tied down.”
Claire has thrived in the Student Council. As president, she’s been able to increase student engagement through strategic, insightful initiatives. Regular events, like Jeopardy and clubs, have been a huge hit. Inspired by Harry Potter, Claire has even implemented a system of four houses, which can earn points and compete against one another. “For the most recent one, we sent packages to people's houses with challenges, like puzzles they had to solve.”
For Claire, the spiritual-academic duality of BYU Online High School has also been groundbreaking. Monthly devotionals have been a huge success, opening up opportunities for students to be spiritually enriched by a wide range of speakers.
“It's been really cool for me to kind of integrate those two parts of my life. Some of my favorite memories are devotionals; there was one time where we had a speaker who couldn’t come at the last minute. One of our teachers decided to fill in, and it was so good!” Hearing teachers talk about the Gospel, as opposed to physics, has been a source of strength for Claire.
Moving forward, Claire is more excited than ever to pursue her passion for history. After a BYU course sparked her love for the subject, she set her sights on getting her PhD and becoming a professor. We’re thankful for all she’s accomplished and the impact she’s made!
For these graduates—and many more—this year means new opportunities and forward momentum. As festivities wind down and the caps and gowns are put into storage, new futures unfold, full of untapped potential. Congratulations to our graduates! We’re grateful for the impact they’ve had, and can’t wait to see what the future holds!
