Student Stories

Marissa

Marissa arrived at Vineland Lakes High School looking for a fresh start. After struggling academically at her previous school and falling behind in credits, she worried that graduating with her classmates might no longer be possible. Encouraged by a school counselor who explained how Vineland Lakes operated, Marissa decided to take a chance on a new environment designed to help students work at their own pace and regain momentum toward graduation. “I started having hope again…I was told that Vineland Lakes would give me an opportunity to get back on track, so I decided to take that opportunity and enrolled.”

The transition was different from anything Marissa had experienced before. “I had a lot of doubts about graduating,” she shared. “Once I started taking classes at Vineland Lakes, I knew I was going to make it.” At Vineland Lakes, students work independently in a computer-based setting with shorter schedules and the flexibility to move through coursework at a pace that fits their needs. For Marissa, that structure made all the difference. “I had a lot of support, a lot of tools I could use, and a lot of help.”

For Marissa, earning her diploma represents more than finishing high school. “Graduation means a lot to me. For me, it means graduating from my past and starting from a fresh start. It means leaving behind my old habits and learning from my past mistakes, looking back and seeing everything I’ve been through to get to where I am now and feeling proud. I never gave up hope, even when most people would have.”

Marissa credits much of her inspiration to her great-grandmother, whose journey from Spain to Brazil helped shape her family’s future in the United States. Although she passed away when Marissa was 14, her story continues to motivate her and remind her to appreciate every opportunity.

After graduation, Marissa plans to attend Valencia College to earn her associate degree before transferring to the University of Central Florida. Her long-term goal is to pursue a career in acting and eventually move to California. Acting has been a lifelong dream, and despite the challenges of the industry, she is determined to work hard and continue pursuing that goal.

Reflecting on her time at Vineland Lakes, Marissa says she is grateful for her experience and the opportunity to “get back on track and graduate on time with all of my friends.”