The arrival of May each year marks the end of one chapter for many and the beginning of an exciting new one as high schools and colleges host graduation ceremonies.
This month, 501 LIFE celebrates “Education and Inspiration” by profiling seniors from area high schools. School officials were invited to select a senior who had overcome personal difficulties or challenges, and inspires others.

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Andrew Mills
St. Joseph High School (Conway)Graduation: Saturday, May 16
Favorite school memory: Senior play.
Interests/activities: Being outdoors, hunting and fishing, duck calling competitions (I call for Rich N Tone duck calls in Stuttgart), spending time with family and friends.
After graduation: Attend the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton.
Personal difficulty/challenge: Keeping up with my school work and keeping my grades up. I missed a lot of school this year being in the hospital sick with my blood disorder.
I have pyruvate kinase deficiency, a blood disorder that slows down the reproduction of my red blood cells. My blood count was down very low, causing me to be very sick and weak so I was absent from school for a while until I received a blood transfusion in February.
Also in March, I had my gall bladder removed causing me to be absent from school for about a week. Making up school work and getting my grades up was my biggest challenge this year because of all that.
Who helped you succeed: God, my teachers, family and friends.
Advice to other students: Study and work hard in school.

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Lucero “Lucy” Merquez
Conway High SchoolGraduation: Thursday, May 21
Favorite school memory: Supporting friends and classmates on the football and basketball teams.
Interests: Cosmetology, fashion, running, travel, school, painting and dance.
Activities: Teen Court – Participation in real case trials as either one of the attorneys, part of the jury, the bailiff, or clerk.
Excel program ‘A’ team – Abstinence and healthy choices program; members speak and do skits at various schools; Art Club; Caring Cats – Helping out the community; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA); Skills USA – For cosmetology; competes in hair styling and cutting competition.
After graduation: I plan to finish my bilingual paralegal degree at Pulaski Tech Community College in two years then attend the University of Central Arkansas for three years for a degree in pre-law. After that, I would like to go on to law school at Little Rock.
Personal difficulty/challenge: I have worked so hard to overcome the challenges related to reading and writing English.
Who helped you succeed:  There have been many teachers along the way that have helped me to be successful throughout my education. When I was in kindergarten, I didn’t know any English at all, and Mrs. Smith was my teacher. She basically taught me how to speak English. Then in fourth grade, she volunteered to tutor me after school in my classes and would take me home when we finished. She was a really special teacher, but I’ve had many teachers that have helped me.
Advice to other students: I would tell other students to listen and respect their teachers even if they are strict. The only thing that your teachers really want for you is to help you to be successful in life. That is why they are there.
I would tell other students who might have a learning disability that they should not let it be an obstacle to keep them from being what they want to be.
Also, I would tell other Hispanic students who are trying to learn English that it is a great opportunity to be able to know how to speak two languages. They should always try their best.

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Krystal Treadway
Perryville High School
Graduation: Friday, May 15
Favorite school memory: One of my favorite school memories is being at track and field. I always got ribbons for all of the activities we did. It made me feel good and that I can do something.
I also went to the Arkansas School for the Blind in the summer. I have so many memories there, like meeting other visually impaired students like me and knowing that there are other people just like me. We went rock climbing, bowling and out to eat. We had a really good time.
Now, I am in Jump Start at the Arkansas School for the Blind, and I really like it because it lets me get a job for three weeks and have new experiences. And, I still get to be around other students like me. I really like ASB and I have had lots of good memories.
Interests/activities/clubs: Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA); Library Club, Wildlife Club and Superfans.
I like to train my dog, get on the computer, play PS3, go to church, go camping and swimming, and hang out with my friends and family.
Personal difficulty/challenge: I am visually impaired, and I have ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity). I have many challenges, but they don’t stop me.
I have to make sure all of my work at school is enlarged and that I sit close enough to see the board. If I can’t see the board or book work, I will use a CTV, which enlarges images on a screen so I can see them and see images from a distance.
I have to make sure I have a sighted guide at night so I know where I am going because it is very hard for me to see at night. If I don’t have anyone with me, I use my cane at night. It helps me know what is around me so I don’t fall.
I will never be able to drive a vehicle, so I have a driver all the time.
Who helped you succeed: The one person that has helped me succeed is my mom. She always told me it would be alright whenever I thought I couldn’t do anything because of my vision. She has always been here to help me get through and without her I don’t know what I would do. She always tells me you can do all things through Christ. You really can, and you just have to believe and not give up.
Advice to other students: My advice to other students is that you should never give up, even if you have a disability. You can go out there in the world and do something.
Just have faith and believe you can do it. You can do all things through Christ, so don’t EVER give up!