Determination keeps North Valley HS grad going

Photo by Paul Robeson

“Don’t let your background slow you down,” were the words of advice given by Diane Rhodes about doing what one wants to do in life.

Rhodes is graduating from the Shasta College nursing program on May 23 and will begin her nursing career at Mercy Medical Center in Redding after that date.

It has been a long, but not lonesome, road for Rhodes who graduated from North Valley High, a continuation school, in Anderson in 2001.

The determined young woman stuck with her idea of becoming a nurse even though she became pregnant while at Anderson High School. She changed to North Valley High School (NVHS) to continue her education before giving birth to her son Zachary.

In 2002, Rhodes entered Shasta College to complete all the pre-requisites for the nursing course. She said that the two-year program at Shasta College “has always maintained the reputation of being one of the best in northern California.

“I had to wait a year to get into the program and now the waiting list is up to three years,” Rhodes said.

So with two years of schooling under her belt she enrolled in the program and is now finishing up her fourth year at Shasta College.

Rhodes spoke with admiration about “Miss Chris” (Fernandez), teacher, and “Miss McGraw,” counselor at NVHS for giving her direction in life.

Chris Fernandez, math and home arts teacher, has been at North Valley High School for over 25 years and Margie McGraw, counselor, came to NVHS after a career at both Anderson and West Valley high schools. Rhodes had received a scholarship from the Anderson Community Scholarship Association, which McGraw is now president of.

McGraw said, “We are very, very proud of Diane. It sometimes becomes discouraging for students thinking about going to college and continuing on with their dreams. Diane did it and is a wonderful example of what a person can do if they really want to do it. She is a true inspiration.” Rhodes will be a featured speaker at this year’s North Valley High School graduation.

Rhodes’ parents have also supportive of her and take care of her 5-year-old so she can attend classes at Shasta.

The 22-year-old woman has been married to Travis Rhodes for two and a half years and now their new goal is to buy a house for their family.