Grade: Adult education School: Poway Adult School District: Poway USD ACSA region: 18 During her graduation ceremony from Poway Adult School in August 2019, Jaden Heck spoke about the challenges she has faced. She was diagnosed with two chronic illnesses that leave her with debilitating migraines and extreme joint pain, creating constant difficulties in completing her education on time. Poway Adult School’s Independent Study program provided the flexibility that Jaden needed, and her counselor and teacher provided ongoing one-on-one support to ensure her success.

Her experiences with the medical profession over the past six years have led Jaden to her calling: her goal is to enroll in college and become a pediatric nurse, where she can help children who are being treated with serious illnesses.

What are your hobbies and interests? I love spending time with my two cats and animals in general. I used to work at a pet hotel where I got to love and care for lots of different kinds of animals. Due to the virus, I got furloughed, so I am now a cashier at Sprouts, but just got promoted to the vitamins section which will prepare me for my career in the medical field! (I want to be a pediatric nurse.) I enjoy swimming and I was on my high school team for a couple years. My favorite subjects in school were anatomy and orchestra.  What has been the biggest challenge you’ve overcome to get where you are today? My biggest challenge that I’ve had to overcome would be learning how to cope with the reality that I have uncontrollable degenerative illnesses and suffer from a lot of chronic pain daily that results in bad depression and anxiety waves. Learning to cope and change my outlook on my diagnoses allowed me to become confident in my abilities and start living a life where my pain doesn’t control me anymore. 

What educator helped you along the way and how did they help you? Mary from Poway Adult School saved me in my struggle to get my diploma. She allowed me to work with her and teachers from home and was nothing but flexible, kind and understanding throughout the entire process. I wouldn’t have my diploma and been given the opportunities I have today if it weren’t for her believing in me.  What advice would you have for students facing similar situations? My advice to students facing similar situations would be to never stop fighting for yourself and your future, no matter how many roadblocks come your way. There is always a solution out there. Believing in yourself is a key component as well because everyone is worthy of achieving their goals/hopes and dreams regardless of who you are or what you went through.  What does it mean to win this award? Winning this award truly means the world to me. After struggling through school since I got sick in the 7th grade, I never thought I’d be given something so generous and kind. I am beyond thankful and appreciative of this award and am saving it for college purposes only.