SUCCESS STORIES FROM GRADUATES

Our graduates leave Independence High School with a great deal of pride and accomplishment. They have developed the self-confidence and character to explore and succeed at the many opportunities that await them. From time to time we hear from graduates with wonderful and inspiring stories to tell of what they have accomplished since graduation. We are proud to showcase them here.

Wesley Gregory

Graduated in September of 2007:

"Independence High School was definitely a milestone in my life. I came to Independence as a student who should have graduated already but only had 14 credits. I wasn't a "bad kid", just a misguided one. The staff at IHS put me on track, got my head on straight and motivated me to follow my dream of becoming a United States Marine.

I am now a young 19-year-old PFC stationed at Camp Legeune, New River Air Station. Soon I will be enrolling in college to earn my associates degree, then I will transfer to earn my bachelors degree.

I would not be where I was today if it was not for the solid, sound foundation IHS built for me. I honestly wish they had more schools like IHS, and I hope more students know about this school IHS is the way to go; it is one in a million.

Semper Fi,

Wesley Gregory
Lance Corporal, United States Marine Corps"

Brian Unger

Brian came to Independence HS after his sophomore year being behind in credits for graduation. On December 11, 2007, Brian graduated and wrote: "When I got here, I realized that I had a second chance. I started to work my tail off to catch up. Here I am now graduating half a year early, as proof to all that it can be done."

Since graduating, Brian pursued his passion and attended flight school. He has earned his single engine private pilots and instrument rating license and is building hours for the next level, which would be commercial. He happily informed us that he even flew over the school recently.

Brian's mom also credits Independence for giving him the confidence to achieve his goal.

Jennifer Custer

We received this in February 2008 from former student and graduate Jennifer Custer:

"2008 marks ten years since I graduated from Independence.

I had lasted just over two years at Roswell HS, reaching a disciplinary level that gave me four days of suspension for every four tardies. That still doesn't make sense to me. My parents were very reluctant to let me make the change, but advice from my RHS Counselor and TAG teachers eventually convinced them.

While at IHS, I was able to bring my GPA up to qualify for the HOPE. I actually graduated early - sped on by the support of several truly excellent teachers (some of whom I see are still with you today). I was given an additional scholarship from the Rotary Club (perhaps because I was the only one who applied for it!) and an English award from the faculty.

I went on to spend six months building a school and teaching underprivileged kids in Belize , Central America (part of an ongoing project with Roswell Presbyterian Church). I then went to GA State University where I majored in English with a British/American concentration that sent me to Newcastle , England for a year. I graduated with a 3.5 and returned to England ( London this time) to complete a Master's Degree in Publishing.

I now work for a small, but quite prominent, literary agency in London, where I work with best selling authors like Conn Iggulden (perhaps best known in the US for The Dangerous Book for Boys) and literary estates, like that of George Orwell. In the last year alone, I've been to Athens , Istanbul , Lisbon , Barcelona , and Frankfurt as Senior Rights Manager (I'm 27), encouraging international publishers to translate our agency's books. It's a job and a career I love.

Anyway, all of this is to say thank you - I was on another path, and believe I owe quite a lot to your school. I think of it often, and fondly."

For more about our students, click here.