GREEN COVE SPRINGS – No matter where she tried to learn, Amika Sevieux always felt uncomfortable.

She tried homeschooling, but she missed being around other people. But when she returned to the classroom, “it wasn’t really right for me.”

The indecision not only added to her confusion and discomfort but also affected her grades.

“When I was 12 and in middle school, I started homeschooling about a semester before everyone else, before the pandemic,” the Clay High senior said. “I was just going through some things, and it wasn't really right for me being in the brick-and-mortar space.

"Then afterward, I wanted to go back, and I felt pretty sick. I don't remember exactly what the diagnosis was, but I was unwell. So, I couldn't go back if I wanted to.”

Amika was forced to take online classes to continue her education. She admitted it was difficult because her tumultuous past had left her lacking structure.

When she returned for her junior year, she was stunned to learn she lacked so many electives that she might be unable to graduate. And if she did, it would be with a minimal 18-credit diploma, not the regular 24-credit diploma.

Suddenly, Amika felt challenged and motivated. With the help of counsellor Frank Dunn and Clay Virtual Academy (CVA) Lab Assistant Mary Law, Amika was put on a rigorous path toward the improbable goal of graduating with a full slate of credits.

“I was determined to get a 24-credit diploma,” she said. “I continued to use the platform fobs I used for my online classes while I was here because they have the CVA Lab, which is just like a period of the day where you can go on a computer and do the online courses. I was also spending about as much time as I spent on my homework for in-person and online classes outside of school.”

In addition to her regular class schedules, Amika earned 10.5 CVA online credits in the last two years. Her reward will be walking with her classmate for the graduation ceremonies this Friday.

“I've always been kind of an overachiever since I was a kid,” she said. “I was unhappy that other people were going through the same thing and not trying. If I had the chance to try at least to fix things, I wanted to do the best I could to get back on track.”