Three weeks after 16-year-old Alyssa Fisher found out she was the valedictorian of Wesley High, she marched up on stage to receive her diploma - with a little help, of course. That's because she's completely blind, but even though she has to work thrice as hard as the other students, she made it to the top of her graduating class - the first visually impaired person in Belize to do so.
And after weeks of practicing and preparing, Fisher wrote, memorized, and recited her valedictorian address - without the luxury of being able to see her computer screen, or her paper.
We met up with her at home the day before her graduation to learn more about her process and her spirit of perseverance. Courtney Menzies has this story.
Alyssa Fisher, Valedictorian, Wesley High School
"Four years ago, as I embarked on my high school journey as a visually impaired student, I knew the path ahead would be challenging."
Alyssa Fisher, Valedictorian, Wesley High School
"Still, guided by the wisdom of Martin Luther King Jr, who once proclaimed, intelligence plus character, that is the goal of true education, I resolved to pursue not only knowledge but also to become an honorable person."
16-year-old Alyssa Fisher began high school in 2020, when the COVID pandemic forced students into distant learning. Four years later, she graduated as valedictorian.
But out of all of last night's graduates, she stood out, not just because of her grades, but also because she has been blind since birth.
And though she can do most things on her own, she still needs a little help. Her fellow classmate guided her onto the stage at the Civic Center as she received her diploma. Her mother was also there, but instead of sitting the crowd, she accompanied her daughter as she received multiple awards, and as she gave her speech.
But Fisher has never let her disability hinder her:
Alyssa Fisher, Valedictorian, Wesley High School
"These past four years have certainly been a testament to the power of perseverance. I have faced countless challenges from adjusting to first form in the height of the COVID 19 pandemic without the luxury of sight to enduring countless, sleepless nights to ensure my assignments were completed with excellence.Yet through every trial I have faced, I have held on to the belief that education is the key to unlocking endless possibilities regardless of one's limitations."
That was only a snippet of her inspirational speech, which she had to write using a special program. Fisher has memorized the letter placement on her keyboard, and the program is able to read back what she wrote.
After that, it was a long process of memorization.
Alyssa Fisher, Valedictorian, Wesley High School
"It was hard, you have to think about every piece of information, you have to cry a few tears because it's very emotional if you sit down and think about it. And it's a lot editing, a lot of paraphrasing. It has been hard and challenging but that's the end product of it."
Reporter:
"How long have you been practicing?"
Alyssa Fisher, Valedictorian, Wesley High School
"From I wrote it down, which was a month now, until now. Every day, or every other day, I would just practice and practice until I get it in my head."
But Fisher says she's always had a pretty good memory, and while she does get frustrating to be unable to see, she's learnt to make the most out of it.
Alyssa Fisher, Valedictorian, Wesley High School
"I wouldn't say it's unfair, well, okay, in some cases I will say it is not fair that I have to learn things like this while everyone could just look down and like, oh, it's like this. I have to stick it in there. But to be honest I actually like it like this because you learn faster this way, well, in my opinion this way and it even sticks in your head, and it really sticks in there rather than you have a paper and you have to glance down, you can just go back in your memory and it comes back to you."
And though she sometimes stumbles:
Alyssa Fisher, Valedictorian, Wesley High School
"Our education has taught us to think critically, but it has also [pause] urged us to act ethically and [pause] to lead with integrity."
Her vision has never been more clear:
Alyssa Fisher, Valedictorian, Wesley High School
"As someone who is visually impaired, I have come to understand that true vision goes beyond what we see with our eyes."
"It lies in the clarity of our purpose, the strength of our conviction, and the depth of our compassion."
Alyssa Fisher, Valedictorian, Wesley High School
"For everyone listening I would just say that no matter your disability or no matter anything, or no matter even the person you are, just, if you can dream it, you can be it, you can do anything you want to and don't let anyone hold you back, don't let anyone tell you what to do. At the end of the day it's your choice, just reach for the stars and the sky's the limit."
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