Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal
Although she had a baby at 16, dropping out of high school was never an option for Courtney Bartlett.
"To me, I was always going to graduate," she said. "I wanted to do that so I could make my son's life better."
On Wednesday, the 17-year-old marched across the stage of the Carson Community Center to receive her diploma from Pioneer High School, graduating a year early and at the top of her class.
Bartlett and Autumn Reed were honored during the ceremony as the 2010 graduates with the highest grade-point averages, and Bartlett was named English student of the year. But of all the recognition, Bartlett was most proud that her son, who will turn 1 this month, was in the audience.
"I want him to succeed and follow in my footsteps," she said.
She owes her success, she said, to the alternative high school that provided child care and the individual attention she needed.
Dominic Bass, 18, said the school also gave him the opportunity to progress after he came close to failing in the traditional setting.
"I wasn't doing good in school," he said. "I was just messing up a lot. This school changed it around for me. They actually sat down with you and taught you."
Former student Monica Singh, who graduated from Pioneer High School in 2003, addressed the graduates Wednesday.
She said she worked full time while attending school to support her family. Although it was difficult, she said, she learned from that the value of hard work and perseverance.
She went on to get a certified nursing assistant license from Western Nevada College and now works as an obstetrician technician and is continuing working toward a nursing degree.
She said she draws strength from her son and daughter.
"Giving up is not an option," she told graduates. "You can do anything if you put your mind to it."
The 32 graduates are counting on that.
Kaitlin Berryhill, 18, who has been living on her own for about eight months, plans to become a child psychologist. Nick Haghverdian, 18, wants to be a bass player in a metal band, and Brandon Richison, 18, plans to pursue a career as a youth pastor.
"I just want to touch lives," Richison said.
Principal Jason Zona spoke with graduates as they were preparing for the commencement ceremony.
"I'm very proud of you," he said. "This is your night. You earned it."