Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy (BASA) senior Madelyn “Maddie” Price has been a Grad Track student since her sophomore year when she had to recover credit for her World Geography class from her freshman year. During her sophomore year, she continued to struggle with some of her classes, but she persevered and passed them all. Last year, during her junior year, Maddie continued to show even more improvement by ending the year with grades of A or B in all her courses and is now back on track for graduation. Her confidence as a student has continued to grow. She expressed a desire to serve as a senior mentor to a struggling freshman in the BASA BUDDIES Club so she can be a peer mentor by offering encouragement and support to another student.
Maddie has overcome many obstacles to find success in her high school journey. She shared that her freshman and sophomore years were tough as she struggled with anxiety and depression. In addition, she admits she did not surround herself with good choices when it came to choosing friends. She realized she needed to find a new group of friends that would support, encourage, and inspire her. Her junior year, she made it her mission to do just that. Maddie says having the right friends around you makes all the difference.
In addition to support from her friends and family, Maddie said several of her teachers have made a difference in her life. In particular, she named ELA Teacher Ms. Casey Nissenbaum as someone who has provided an abundance of support and encouragement and who has inspired her to want to make better choices.
Ms. Nissenbaum says “Maddie is a brilliant young woman; she is funny, clever, and unique! She wants to be a teacher, and her students will be so lucky to have her! It has been my distinct pleasure to be her teacher.”
Science Teacher Elizabeth Ellis shares, “Madelyn always greeted me with a smile each day as she entered my class. I could depend on her to have a good attitude about even difficult assignments. She was willing to receive constructive feedback and always strived to improve. Beyond all that, she is just a nice person! I really enjoyed having her in my class.”
Maddie desires to pursue an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education after graduation and hopes to possibly teach in the Barrow County School System, giving back to the school system that has helped her succeed. She currently works part time in the afterschool program at Austin Road Elementary with Pre-K-2nd grades. She loves her job and looks forward to the day when she has a classroom of her own.
Way to be Barrow BOLD, Maddie. We are proud of you!
We are proud of our students who are on the “Grad Track.” A Grad Track student has either failed one or more academic classes and/or is behind in credits needed for graduation with their cohort class. Graduation Specialists at all three Barrow County School System (BCSS) high schools support students who meet these qualifications.