SHS senior rises above challenges to earn diploma, go to college

SHS senior rises above challenges to earn diploma, go to college
Posted on 05/31/2016

SHS senior rises above challenges to earn diploma, go to college

On Saturday, Megan Coleman was one of nearly 200 students who graduated from Scottsburg High School. However, this day almost did not come without her sheer determination to earn her high school diploma and the encouragement of the faculty and staff of SHS.

“I always figured I would finish. I didn’t think I would graduate on time,” Coleman said.

She did not think she would graduate on time because her journey through high school was unlike many of her classmates. Starting in her sophomore year, Coleman’s home life became increasingly unstable as she was living in hotel rooms with her parent. As that living situation diminished halfway through the school year, Coleman started living with her boyfriend.

“It was so hard to get to school when you don’t know where you’re going to end up,” Coleman said. “My mom was unstable. I went to seven or eight schools growing up. My freshman year, I was between [two schools].”

By her junior year, Coleman became pregnant, and she decided to take classes online. But, she found it was harder to do the online classes than to be at school with her peers.

“I didn’t do anything online,” Coleman said. “I didn’t think I would do that well if I wasn’t at school. I don’t know why I didn’t stay my junior year. I gave up too easily.”

After giving birth to her daughter, Addilyn, who is now 1-years-old, Coleman decided to return her senior year. But, her lack of high school credits was a huge hurdle between her and earning her diploma.

“No one in my family graduates,” Coleman said. “I don’t think I would have come back for another year if I didn’t finish this year.”

Coleman started her senior year working as hard as she could in her role as a mother and a high school student. She was enrolled in regular classes throughout the school day and taking additional Plato Courseware online classes to earn the credits she needed to graduate. The Plato Courseware provides standards-based learning online in core subjects, electives, languages, and honors.

“It was a lot of discipline. It was hard sometimes, especially since Addilyn’s teething. I would read in the library because I could not read at home,” Coleman said.

After earning seven credits through Plato and earning 12 credits this year through traditional classes, Coleman found out she would have enough credits and could graduate with her classmates.

“I use my time at school as good as I can. I had all As last semester,” Coleman said.

Despite her challenges in life, Coleman did find encouragement in her academics when taking a math class taught by Adam DePriest.

“Mr. DePriest helped me so much. He will call you out and make you do it until you’re expert at it,” Coleman said.

Beyond high school, school counselor Shannon Mount encouraged Coleman to think about her future. Because of Mount’s nudging, Coleman decided to apply to attend Ivy Tech in hopes of becoming a registered nurse one day.

“I wouldn’t have applied to Ivy Tech without her,” Coleman said. “I wasn’t considering applying anywhere. I didn’t think I would be able to.”

Because of her life experiences and the encouragement she received from the faculty and staff at SHS, Coleman is looking into specializing in labor and delivery nurse.

“I always liked the idea of nursing. After having Addilyn, I got really interested in labor and delivery,” Coleman said. “I want to be able to support us. I’d like to have a job that provides for Addilyn.”

At Scott County School District 2, Coleman’s story is our story. Your story matters. You matter.