The Path to Success: Delaney Shanley, District 6 Online Academy
Our students have faced many challenges, especially over the past two years.
That’s why we celebrate their successes, their resiliency, their grit and their many accomplishments. Reaching high school graduation is an important milestone. The journey may not be direct and it may have a few detours, but reaching the destination is significant.
Here are features on a sampling of graduates from each of our non-charter high schools. We wish them - and all our District 6 graduates - continued success and happiness. May all your dreams come true!
Delaney Shanley is proud to be in the first graduating class for D6 Online Academy.
"It's thrilling," she said. "It is a great opportunity to be part of a new amazing school and be part of this graduating class."
D6 Online Academy opened in August 2021, mainly in response to COVID-19 and the desire of families and students to stay in a virtual learning environment as most of District 6 returned to in-person learning.
For some students, it is simply a better fit to learn virtually. For Shanley, who has struggled with physical and mental conditions, it made learning possible.
"When I was in-person in school, I was having some struggles with chronic migraines, and having trouble with being able to go to school and staying focused without triggering a migraine episode," she said. "So, having access to an online school has really helped me manage my symptoms. It has helped me to perform a lot better."
"I have struggled with mental health issues and motivation and stuff like that. Having that support, especially from D6 Online Academy has really helped keep me going and keep me at pace. It doesn't feel like you are so alone when you are doing school work anymore, which is great."
Originally from Arizona, Shanley has lived in Colorado most of her life, but only a short time in the Greeley area. She is the youngest of four siblings.
What she likes most about the D6 Online Academy is the school's ability to adapt to the needs of its students. She likes studying English, literature and sciences, and she loves drawing and painting.
"I like that it's adaptive," she said. "You can have live-talk classes, or self-paced, or you can have some concurrent enrollment classes with other schools if you want to do something like orchestra," she said. "It is also very easy to change. If you don't like something, you can drop it and do something else."
After graduating, Shanley plans to enter the workforce for a year and then hopefully attend veterinary school.
Shanley has some advice for younger students as they navigate high school.
"Reach out if you need help. There are a lot of resources that can help you if you are having struggles with your work," she said. "There are also a lot of people who may be in the same boat as you. So don't be afraid to ask questions and ask for help if you need it."