James Madison High School alumni inspire and motivate us every year with their ambition and accomplishments. We received hundreds of Graduate of the Year applications this year from students who have overcome a variety of challenges and situations on their path towards earning their high school diploma. Graduate of the Year is awarded to one graduate who shows academic excellence, goal achievement, and drive to make their life better. It was very hard to choose, but three students stood out at the top of the list to be named our 2022 Graduate of the Year Finalists. Here are their stories.

Life leads us all down very different paths, and sometimes that means some of us have had to leave high school before it’s finished. And that’s okay! Dropping out of high school may have been the right choice for you or a loved one at one point in time, but that doesn’t have to be the end of your educational journey. You may not have even realized it, but it is definitely possible to get a high school diploma after 21. Learners ready to take on the challenge do it all the time, and you can, too! But you may even be wondering, “is going back to school worth it?” We broke down your options for you so that you can make an informed, educated decision for your own education.

If you haven’t earned your high school diploma yet, you might be asking yourself, “Do I even need a high school diploma? Why is it important?” While the answer is different for everyone, a diploma can definitely help you on your journey to success. From earning potential, career opportunity outlooks, and finding out if you’re eligible to finish high school—here’s what you need to know about getting your high school diploma and what it may mean for you.

It’s time to start thinking about social media differently, because it can be so much more than scrolling through your friends’ latest selfies. Whether you’re on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or any other platform, here’s how you can use social media as a tool in your job search – and how to make a good impression online.

Have you ever had something you had to do but couldn’t bring yourself to get started? We’ve all been there. Although procrastination is hard to overcome, it doesn’t need to hold you back! There are ways you can combat procrastination and finally cross off the tasks on your to-do list you’ve been putting off! Accomplish your goals with these 6 simple tips for pulling yourself out of a procrastination rut.