This is What Determination Looks Like

For the past eight years, my daughter has struggled with tests — not because she didn’t try, but because they’ve always been a major hurdle. Despite her efforts, the results often fell short of her goals. But she never gave up.

This week, she finally achieved a score she had once believed was beyond her reach. A test that had previously defeated her… didn’t this time. And the glow on her face when she found out? Unforgettable.

Here’s what most people didn’t see:

• The electives she gave up for learning strategies classes.

• The tearful nights after tough test days.

• The grit it took to keep trying after each setback.

• The strategies she practiced — over and over — until they stuck.

  
  

When the moment came, she slowed down, triple checked her work, and trusted the process. She used every bit of what she had learned. And it worked.

She didn’t just pass — she crushed it!

This story isn’t just about a score. It’s about perseverance. It’s about redefining success. It’s about a young woman who decided that being told "this is hard" wasn’t a reason to stop — but a reason to lean in.

“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.” – Rikki Rogers

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou

For anyone fighting for a goal that feels out of reach:

• Don’t give up when it gets tough. 

• Trust the process, even when it’s long.

•  And celebrate every milestone — because the journey is the win.