Urban school students have endured a challenging year dealing with a global pandemic but they have demonstrated resilience and perseverance time and again. The students featured here - recent graduates in the Class of 2021 - have overcome seemingly insurmountable odds and have reached the stratosphere of academic excellence as they pursue their dreams.

A Little Girl Running from War, to a High School Class President- Omaha Public Schools

A Wichita Student Overcomes Obstacles to Achieve Success- Wichita Public Schools 

Guilford Graduate Ready to Begin the Rest of Her Life- Guilford County Public Schools

Getting Perspective, Gaining Strength, and Giving Back- Kansas City Public Schools

Future Doctor in the Making- Denver Public Schools

Dallas Student Headed to Texas A&M after Overcoming Homelessness to Finish in Top 15 of Her Class- Dallas Independent School District

Charlotte Engineering Student Has Heart for His Community - Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Living on His Own, Student Learns Resilience - Los Angeles Unified School District

Twin sister, brother become valedictorian and salutatorian at Houston’s Worthing High School - Houston Independent School District

Louisville Student Achieves her Goals - Jefferson County Public Schools