Students overcome challenges to graduate

May 22, 2007

By Will Elliott

Frontiersman

WASILLA - For two Burchell High School graduates, the diplomas they earned Monday represent more than just a series of classes passed and requirements met.

&#8220I've faced many obstacles to get here,” said Winter Daly, 19, in a May 15 address to the Palmer Lions Club.

Many high-schoolers would likely say the same, citing the difficulty of juggling classes, a social life and after-school activities. Daly, and fellow Burchell graduate Kaitlyn Tidd, 17, have done their share of juggling. But while for many students, a few dropped balls are of little consequence, the stakes have been as high as life or death for Daly and Tidd.

Daly was in seventh grade when a Washington SWAT team breached her home in a drug raid.

&#8220We laid in the driveway with guns to our heads while they searched the house,” Daly said.

When her parents were arrested, Daly and her three younger siblings were split up among foster homes. Later they were returned to their mother, but it soon was clear that this was not the good news Daly hoped.

Court-ordered treatment had little effect on Daly's mother, who continued to deal drugs and abandoned the children to her eldest daughter's care.

&#8220It was up to me to make sure they did their homework, went to school, ate a balanced meal, whether that meant Top Ramen or not,” Daly said.

One night, while her mother lay unconscious after a three-week continuous high, Daly said the woman's boyfriend assaulted her and forced her to smoke methamphetamine.

It took two years to break the addiction. Then, she became pregnant.

&#8220It hit me then that I needed to quit, get out of there, change my life,” Daly said. &#8220I had to be a better person.”

Daly lost the child in a drug-induced miscarriage. But she stayed faithful to her plans of escape. Daly sought refuge with family in Alaska, and with their help, overcame her addiction.

Since then, Daly has studied at Burchell, and Monday earned the high school diploma that will carry her into college.

&#8220If it wasn't for Burchell, I would not be here today. It's amazing their influence on my life,” she said.

&#8220My parents told me I'd never make it,” Daly said. &#8220But I am not going to let anything hold me back from my dreams.”

Diane Demoski, a Burchell High counselor, described what Daly and Tidd have been through as &#8220challenges most of us can only imagine.”

&#8220They are our heroes, as are all our graduates,” she said.

Kaitlyn Tidd was an athlete and straight-A student, but when her first child was born, things changed. Tidd was 14.

The father, an abusive boyfriend, refused to pay child support, and has not stayed in contact with his son.

&#8220I was feeling lonely and like I wasn't important,” Tidd said, and so she sought solace from another man, a drug user who helped get Tidd addicted.

&#8220I didn't care what anyone said, I just wanted to get high and escape from everything,” Tidd said.

The night the couple planned to try methamphetamine for the first time, Tidd found out she was pregnant again.

The boyfriend didn't feel this should stop them from trying meth, Tidd said, and it was then that she realized she would have to depend on herself if things were to change for her and her new family.

&#8220I picked up my son and never looked back,” Tidd said.

Tidd credits her sons - Aaron, 4, and Chandler, 1 - for keeping her going. Through programs at Burchell, Tidd has been able to work and care for her family while still studying for graduation.

&#8220Last year, I came in with three credits,” she said. &#8220This year, I'm graduating with 21.”

Daly hoped her and Tidd's success might help others through hard times.

&#8220I just want other people to know that whatever you're going through, others have been through it, too. You're not alone,” she said.

Burchell High School is an alternative school in the Valley for students whose special needs cannot be met by the district's other high schools. Burchell operates a day-care center, clothing bank, food bank and night school to help its 250 students balance education with their other responsibilities.

Burchell principal Dave Holmquist said he hoped that hearing from Tidd and Daly would wake the Valley up to the issues its teens are facing. Holmquist also said Daly's and Tidd's success underscores the need for schools like Burchell.

&#8220Now more than ever, there are just so many kids with challenges they can't overcome without the help,” he said. &#8220A school like Burchell helps them remove the barriers that keep them from success.”

Contact Will Elliott at

352-2250 or will.elliott@

frontiersman.com.