Linn County high school graduates share stories of hope, perseverance

Thousands of students will graduate from Eastern Iowa high schools in the coming weeks. The Gazette is featuring graduating seniors from eight Linn County high schools this week. Six Johnson County students will be featured in print and online May 28.

The students were chosen by school staff, including their principals, teachers and school counselors. The Gazette asked for students who represent the diversity in Eastern Iowa, including students from different cultural backgrounds, those with different career goals or students who have overcome a challenge or obstacle in their education.

Nakiza Nyankundwa, Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School

Nakiza Nyankundwa, a senior at Jefferson, works with her therapist Jen Janatscheck to complete her exercises May 5 at UnityPoint Health-St Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. In 2020, Nyankundwa and her brother were struck by a drunken driver. She lost her leg and was placed in a medically-induced coma for four months. Now, she is focused on the future, is walking thanks to a prosthesis, and has her sights set on walking across the commencement stage without help. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)

Nakiza Nyankundwa was “always smiling, always talking” before a drunken driver crashed into her and her brother while they were walking in December 2020. Nyankundwa, who moved to the United States from the Democratic Republic of Congo when she was 16, survived the crash, but she lost her right leg. Now, she’s determined to walk across the commencement stage.

Fatima Abdalla, Cedar Rapids Washington High School

Fatima Abdalla already graduated high school in Sudan and even completed a year of college, but she returned to high school after immigrating to Cedar Rapids so she could get a better grasp on English. She plans to enroll in college this fall, with a goal of attending medical school to become a gynecologist or pediatrician.

Donovan Slick-Driscoll, Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School

Donovan Slick-Driscoll, a four-sport athlete, dreams of someday playing in the NFL, and his coaches say he may be among the 1 percent who can do it. If he doesn’t make it to the pros, Slick-Driscoll wants to return to Kennedy High School as a physical education teacher and coach.

Alyssa Baugh, Metro High School

Senior Alyssa Baugh poses for a portrait in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Friday, May 12, 2023. Baugh is graduating from Metro High School and wants to become an elementary teacher. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette) — Senior Alyssa Baugh poses for a portrait in Cedar Rapids on May 12. Baugh is graduating from Metro High School and wants to become an elementary teacher. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

After taking time off from school to work full-time to help support her family, Alyssa Baugh enrolled at Metro High School. There, she’s become a leader and a voice for people who can’t advocate for themselves. She wants to return to Cedar Rapids schools someday as an elementary teacher.

Jacob Sires, Xavier High School

Treatment for childhood cancer limited Jacob Sires’ ability to compete in high-contact sports. But the Xavier High School senior has found another place to shine: on the stage. Sires won best male soloist five times this year — once at every show choir the school’s show choir, Xhiliration, competed in. This fall he’ll take his talents to Iowa State University.

Sarah Tokpa, Prairie High School

Sarah Tokpa poses for a portrait before her rehearsal of the musical “Catch Me If You Can” on Monday, May 1, 2023, at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Tokpa is a self described “busy gal,” as she’s involved in show choir, lead a Black History Month assembly in February this year, sports, and her biggest passion, performing. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette) — Sarah Tokpa poses for a portrait before rehearsal of the musical “Catch Me If You Can” May 1 at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids. Tokpa is a self-described “busy gal,” as she’s involved in show choir, led a Black History Month assembly in February this year, plays sports, and her biggest passion, performing. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)

Sarah Tokpa was born in the United States to parents who immigrated from Togo, a country on the coast of West Africa. As a student at Prairie High School — and often the only Black person in advanced placement classes — she’s found ways to honor and share her heritage. That includes cooking traditional food and performing a traditional Togolese dance during her school’s Black History Month assembly, which she helped organize.

Chrishelle Lawson, Linn-Mar High School

Throughout her time at Linn-Mar High School, Chrishelle Lawson — a Black girl in a predominantly white school — has held herself to high standards. Her work paid off; she’s achieved good grades, and even tutors other students. This fall she’ll enroll at Iowa State University with plans to study forensic anthropology. Her ultimate goal is a job at the FBI, analyzing human skeletal remains to help identify murder victims.

Max Stancel-Hess, Marion High School

Max Stancel-Hess, a senior at Marion High School, poses for a portrait May 10 at his grandparents’ home in Atkins. Stancel-Hess, who uses a wheelchair due to spina bifida, remains active, from learning to drive his family’s car with hand-pedals, to helping his grandfather build and fix things around the house. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)

Having been born with spina bifida, any new bit of independence is a victory for Max Stancel-Hess. Earlier this year, the Marion High School senior celebrated putting his shoes on by himself. He’s learning to drive a car with hand controls, and how to cook. And this fall, he’ll enroll at Kirkwood Community College. He’s getting more comfortable with the idea of living on his own someday.