The future is bright for 39 Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) seniors who will graduate in May.
It's been a tough year, as many of them have overcome adversity.
"It feels great like I'm about to graduate, I'm excited," said Myla Taylor, a senior at Waggener High School.
She and other students got the chance to walk the red carpet on Thursday and were awarded for their hard work.
Taylor is thankful for her home to school coordinator Robinette Starks for pushing her.
"I was in a group home and I did not have means of transportation because of how far it was, I almost had to switch schools but she ended up taking me; I was on her basketball team, she took me to and from school," Taylor said.
RELATED: Community leaders break ground on new all-girls, tuition-free private school in the West End
Starks met Taylor two years ago and has mentored her ever since through the JCPS home to school program, which helps students tackle challenges outside of the classroom.
"I'm so proud of her because I have seen her at a state where she needed someone," said Starks.
Whether it be in the classroom or on the court, Starks said Taylor kept going no matter what.
"She's been taking basically dual classes plus being an athlete to make it to the finish line," Starks said.
Fourteen home to school coordinators across the district were recognized at the celebration for helping some of the students who were at risk of dropping out.
"Some are faced with homelessness; a lot of our students struggle with attendance, their grades might not be where they need it to be or their behavior may not be where they want it to be," said Ben Langley, specialist of community support services at JCPS.
He said it's about acknowledging the students for their hard work.
"I'm a firm believer that if you can have a caring adult that student can do anything," Langley said.
As for Taylor, she plans to shoot for the stars after graduation and study for a music production degree.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.