educate
+
S.A.T. (Student Awareness Tools)
®
70
maskmatters.org
FALL 2017
PHOTOGRAPHY
Courtesy of Primavera Online High School
I
n today’s fast-paced and
demanding world, stress and
anxiety are a reality for most of
us. For many teenagers though,
anxiety becomes overwhelming
and can lead to other issues, such
as depression or ADD/ADHD.
Melissa Verdugo describes herself
as friendly, but shy. She began high
school at a traditional school. Like many
freshmen, she became overwhelmed
by the large number of people and
felt very anxious. Her big brother was
attending online school at the time, and
they talked about the pros and cons of
online school.
Melissa decided
to make the switch to
Primavera Online High
School. As an introvert,
she really liked the
online structure and her
supportive teachers, but
her struggle with anxiety
and depression worsened
over time. Eventually, it
became difficult for her to
go out in public and interact with others.
“There would be days when I was
sad and didn’t have a reason,” she says. “I
felt like I was all alone and just needed
someone to understand.”
The National Institute of Mental
Health (NIMH) estimates that 25.1
percent of teens have experienced, or
currently suffer from, an anxiety disorder.
And according to the Anxiety and
Depression Association of America
(ADAA), children with untreated
anxiety disorders are at higher risk to
perform poorly in school and miss
out on important social
experiences.
Melissa is a determined
and courageous girl, and
has been lucky to have
the support of a caring
family, teachers and a
counselor. Her mom
encouraged her to talk
and interact with others,
and her family made sure she never had to
go out alone.
While her teachers and guidance
counselor were always there to help Melissa
academically, it’s the personal support
they offered that encouraged her to keep
believing in herself.
“My instructors would tell me I was
doing an incredible job and to keep going.
I even had one instructor send me a card
saying he was proud of me,” Melissa says.
In the beginning of her junior year,
Melissa decided to give traditional
high school another try. She soon
realized that the school was behind in
academics, and decided Primavera was
best for her. After leaving and returning,
Melissa became determined to stop
depression and anxiety from getting the
best of her.
Since then, Melissa has worked hard
to improve her grades and overcome her
anxiety and depression. She has forced
herself to do things on her own, and has
practiced interacting with others in public.
While she still feels nervous, she is able to
demonstrate her personality without fear.
“My anxiety isn’t gone. I feel like it
will always be a part of me,” Melissa says.
“But I am more outgoing and have the
ability to control it. I don’t let it stand in
the way anymore.”
Melissa was able to graduate
Primavera early and will be attending
Phoenix College this fall. She plans on
majoring in healthcare to become a dental
assistant and then eventually a dental
hygienist.
“My instructors
would tell me I was
doing an incredible
job and to keep
going. I even had
one instructor send
me a card saying he
was proud of me.”
STAR
STUDENT
Melissa Verdugo
