GREEN COVE SPRINGS — Rista Smith hit an emotional wall during her freshman and sophomore years. She said things were often contentious at home, driving her deeper into her expressive abyss.

It also drove her GPA into a hole.

“My grades really went down,” she said. “My depression hit me hard. I stopped doing my work; I stopped showing up.”

Rista was left with only one solution. As improbable as it was, if she exceeded the most optimistic expectations, there was a chance at Elevate Academy at Bannerman that she could earn her degree and graduate on time.

She did it.

“When I got here, I didn’t know anyone and I was very nervous,” the proud senior said. “I knew I had to come to Elevate to improve my grades. I knew I had to get this done. I had to graduate. I made friends here, and with the help of my friends, my coordinators and teachers, I got through it. I got all my credits.”

Program Coordinator Kimberly Dubis developed an aggressive plan when Rista was a junior. She said there were a few times she had to put Rista back on track.

Dubis said the most essential step was convincing Rista to believe in herself.

“When she got here, she was very reserved, unsure of herself,” Dubis said, “but we saw her come around and start working. The first challenge wasn’t to get her grades up, but to make her realize graduation was a real possibility, make her believe she could actually do it.”

Dubis pushed hard.

“When she'd slip a little, we'd pull her in,” she said. "'Hey, Rista, come on. We've got to keep it up.’ We had a couple of those talks.”

Three years ago, Rista felt so empty she refused to think beyond the end of each day. Now she’s planning for a future that includes animation at Rocky Mountain College of Arts and Design.

“It happened because I had teachers and good friends who cared,” Rista said. “I was around people who wanted to build me up. This year, I was excited to come to school every day.

“I’m happy because it was hard and I did it. I didn’t know happiness. Now, I’m happy all the time. I have confidence. I never thought I would believe in myself. Elevate made a big difference to me. I’m looking forward to the future.”