When the going gets tough, the tough get going. But, for one student, finding the strength to get through school is especially hard. Despite her difficulties, Tayecia Kippen has found the GRIT (Growth, Resilience, Integrity, Tenacity) to keep going.
The West Weber Community That Cares GRIT Award, which recognises students of high achievement through times of difficulty, was awarded to Tayecia in January.
Tayecia has dyslexia, a learning disorder which makes it difficult to read and write. On top of this, she also struggles from severe migraines and stomach issues.
These issues push her to stay home, and they make school work harder than for most. But, even through all this, she remains a straight A student, maintaining her 4.0 through grit and impressive problem solving skills.
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, chronic absence in schools has doubled and scores have dropped their lowest in thirty years. Students are finding it harder and harder every day to give school their all.
And there’s no doubt that school is hard for every student, but for some it is especially challenging.
To any student struggling to find the GRIT to stay in school, Tayecia had this to say: “One thing that my mom told me when I was younger: school can either be your worst enemy or your frenemy, you pick if you go for the frenemy.”
It’s hard to maintain a healthy relationship with school, but you’ve got to find a way to love it–or to hate it and do it anyway. Whatever you choose, you just have to do it, there’s no way around it.
Her advice for solving large problems that come your way is to take a step back, look at the full picture of the issue. See it through three visible points, the top, the side, and the other side, until you can see the entire picture. Then go all in and don’t hold back.
Tayecia says it’s important to find what makes you happy. She is a deep lover of all things Harry Potter, which she proudly displays on her hoodies and backpack. Keeping things that bring you joy close can help push you through a challenge, keeping you afloat in rough water.
Through difficult times, it’s hard to acknowledge any growth you’ve made and almost impossible to see the reward for pushing through. That is what GRIT is all about.
