Pioneer Academy’s March student of the month is sophomore online student Ashley Ellis. Ashley has thrived since she joined the Pioneer family mid-year of her ninth grade. She is currently taking multiple dual-credit courses while maintaining a 3.95 GPA. As Ashley tackles the daily challenges of self-motivation and striving to improve herself, she sees knowledge as her cornerstone to success.
“Success to me is built on knowledge, determination and a willingness to do something with yourself,” Ellis said. “I found success in my grades by building on knowledge I already had and putting in the effort to make sure I keep them up.”
It is with this determination and drive that Ashley has found her direction and motivation to do her best to accomplish her goals. The journey hasn’t always been easy. Like many students, Ashley said anxiety has sometimes been a barrier to finding that smooth pathway to success.
“My greatest obstacle so far has honestly been myself,” she said. “I was so angry and confused with everything for so long that I kept getting in my own way. I overcame this by thinking about what I was doing, and eventually coming to the conclusion that I’d much rather be doing something else.”
Now she doesn’t let anxiety prevent her from participating in activities like yoga and National honor society. Ashley also stated her appreciation for Mrs. Council, who has helped her be successful by showing her that she has great potential and by always being there when she needed to send her an email asking for help.
Maintaining a balanced life is important to Ashley, so she also prioritizes time for herself to explore her interests and develop friendships. She says she loves to read fantasy and fiction books with the occasional romance novel mixed in. Her reading also fuels her desire to write her own novels and poetry and one day publish her own book.
Ashley would like to finish high school by completing an AA degree from WNC in the Jumpstart program. She then plans to return to college to earn a registered nursing degree, then specialize in midwifing and one day operate her own midwife practice.
Ashley is a creative and ambitious bright young star at Pioneer Academy with a determination to show her best to the world and we are looking forward to a couple more years of helping her reach her goals.
(By Cary Jordan, Pioneer Academy Counselor)