Graduating from High School is a tremendous milestone in a student’s life. Achievement House Cyber Charter School will be featuring the many accomplishments of some of our graduating seniors in a Senior Spotlight Series.

Students who dream of playing their chosen sport at the collegiate level need to achieve at high level academically and athletically. Achievement House Cyber Charter School’s Graduating Senior, Isabella DeGori, is a student who has overcome challenges by working hard to be successful in the classroom and on the softball field. Isabella is very excited to be receiving an athletic scholarship next year from Carlow University to continue her softball career.

Isabella has been playing softball for ten years and is the current shortstop for the 3n2 National team. She is thankful for the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level and to major in Criminology at Carlow University. She believes earning this undergraduate degree, will enable her to attend the FBI academy in pursuit of a career as a Personality Profiler.

Attending AHCCS has given Isabella the flexibility and opportunity to further develop her softball skills. Isabella efficiently manages her time each day so she can complete her schoolwork and progress her softball skills. Attending a cyber school has been very beneficial not only academically but also for Isabella’s athletic career.

“Being in a cyber school has really helped me work out and practice to stay in shape, because I have time to do that. It has given me more time to do training on my own.”

Isabella enrolled at Achievement House Cyber Charter School based on a referral from the pain clinic at Children’s Hospital. Based on Isabella’s situation, a different educational setting for learning was needed, and cyber school was the perfect solution. Also, AHCCS Mentor, Ms. Julia Debald has inspired Isabella the most throughout her time at the school.

Isabella said, “She believed in me when I did not believe in myself. She took a great deal of her own time to create my assignment lists, text me, and she always checked in to see how I was doing. She was not only invested in my academic success but also in softball career. Ms. Debald knew how serious I was about playing a college sport. She really inspired me to keep going.”

Along with the supportive staff, Isabella believes that her time at AHCCS has taught her how to be independent and responsible.

“You have to be responsible in keeping up with your assignments and be independent by staying on top of all of your work. You also have to learn to communicate with your teachers.”  

Isabella’s advice to younger students, especially those who want to continue playing sports at the collegiate level, is to communicate with their teachers and to maintain good grades throughout their high school career. AHCCS teachers are always available to help any student who reaches out.

Isabella also enjoys giving back to others. She is a volunteer for Best Buddies, a nonprofit program that builds friendships between volunteers and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities to create a level of inclusion (cite). She earned this organization’s prestigious Golden Member Award, which will enable Isabella to work with an entire group of those in need as opposed to one person.

When looking towards the future, Isabella is most excited about graduation, attending college and playing softball at Carlow University, but the road to get there was not easy. As a female high school athlete, Isabella has continually faced the challenges of performing well academically and athletically. Also, COVID took a huge toll on her college softball recruiting process. Recruiters were unable to see her play in person and camps were closed. Isabella needed to videotape and livestream for various recruiters to showcase her skills. Isabella was able to overcome these challenges and find the perfect place to continue her softball career.

Isabella expressed, “I’m really happy that I found Carlow. I am thankful that they took an interest in me.”

Isabella has an exciting future ahead of her, and everyone at Achievement House Cyber Charter School is excited to see what she will continue to accomplish on and off the softball field.