Students overcome odds to graduate high school

Hundreds of local high schoolers are celebrating graduation this week. It is an accomplishment for anybody, but some students overcame some unique challenges to earn their diplomas.

Emerson High School is the alternative high school in Idaho Falls School District 91. Principal Robin Busch says students come for a variety of reasons.

“Our biggest percentage of kids are teen parents and students who just could not handle a six-hour day at another high school,” Busch said.

“I’m really excited because I wasn’t actually supposed to graduate for another two years,” said Savaya Adam, a graduating senior. She had left school as a freshman and again as a junior, but she came back. Adam said she took summer and night school. Adam wants to go to veterinary school in Colorado.

Another senior, MaKaylah Mantooth, is one of 10 teen parents to graduate this year.

“I found out when I was 16, a few months after my 16th birthday. It was really, really scary, I won’t lie, but the farther along I got the more I accepted this is real, and then I had my baby. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” said Mantooth. She hopes to study at Idaho State University and become a registered nurse.

Mantooth and Adam are just two of 38 students who will earn their diplomas from Emerson High School this year. Only two seniors will not graduate this year.

All high schools in D91 and D93 will graduate this week.