Anna Lara, the salutatorian of the Knox County Virtual School, embodies resilience in every sense of the word.
Lara’s journey to academic excellence has been far from easy. Her story is one of perseverance, adaptation, and an unyielding commitment to her dreams, despite the many challenges she faced.
From the start, Lara had to navigate a path made more complex by a language barrier.
With Spanish as her first language, her early years in school were marked by the challenge of learning English.
“I was a little embarrassed about my culture at first, but as I got older, I saw the value in speaking two languages,” Lara said. “I grew to love who I am and found that it has allowed me to help other people.”
Her quick mastery of English was a testament to her determination, a quality that would become a hallmark of her educational journey.
Anna’s school life was characterized by frequent transitions. She attended Cedar Bluff Elementary, Farragut Primary, Farragut Intermediate, Farragut Middle, Hardin Valley Middle, and Hardin Valley Academy before transferring to the Virtual School.
Each move meant adapting to new environments, teachers, and peers. Despite the inherent difficulties of being the new kid, Lara found strength in the support of her teachers.
“I still keep in contact with my first-grade teacher because I loved her so much,” she said. “The teachers I’ve had throughout school helped me through a lot, especially being at new schools.”
Her academic path took another turn in high school when she went virtual for a semester. During this time, she discovered she was pregnant with her first child. Balancing schoolwork with pregnancy and later, motherhood, was incredibly demanding.
“I was trying to stay at the same pace as the other students, and it was really hard,” Lara said.
She continued her education, driven by a resolve to not fall behind, but balancing school with parenting responsibilities became a difficult task.
“I would stay up until five in the morning trying to catch up on schoolwork,” she recalls. “I just got up each day and did what I had to do.”
Despite the physical and emotional toll, Lara pushed through, driven by a vision for a better future for her children and herself.
Lara’s journey wasn’t just about academic struggle; she also battled depression, particularly during her second pregnancy.
“I’m taking care of them on my own,” she said. Her children are her motivation. “They are the reason I get up every day; because they need me.”
Throughout her high school years, Anna learned valuable lessons about balance and self-care.
“I learned early on that it’s okay to take a break,” she reflects.
This newfound understanding helped her manage her responsibilities better, ensuring she could still excel academically while caring for her young children.
Lara’s acceptance into the University of Tennessee, where she plans to pursue pre-med to become an OBGYN, is a testament to her resilience and determination.
“It honestly feels surreal to be where I am because I thought it was never going to happen,” she said. “I’m looking forward to being back in the classroom and meeting all the teachers and students in person.”
While Lara has succeeded through her personal determination, she is also grateful to her parents for their unending support.
Ivan and Elizabeth immigrated to the United States from Mexico to give their family a better life, and they work hard every day to support Lara, her brother, and her children.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without them,” Lara said.
Her journey, marked by perseverance and the ability to overcome obstacles, serves as an inspiration to many.
Anna Lara’s story is a powerful reminder that resilience is not about never falling, but about rising every time we do.
Her achievements at Knox County Virtual School, amidst personal and academic challenges, illustrate the strength of the human spirit and the extraordinary heights that can be reached with determination and support.