A high school student who rebounded from a debilitating football injury but regained his stride with support from Ector Acceleration Academies (EAA) was featured in a recent story on the NewsWest9 TV station in Odessa, Texas.
After seriously injuring his knee playing football at Permian High School, Jhki Atchinson had to use a wheelchair and found himself falling behind at school.
“I felt like I really didn’t have anybody on my side. It was like having to relearn how to walk and be wheelchair-bound for six months — it took a toll on me for sure,” he told television reporter Lilybeth Valles.
Jhki aspires to go to medical school but began to wonder if he could make it through high school. Then he discovered EAA, which works in partnership with the public school district to provide a flexible, personalized path to a diploma.
The young man found the academic and emotional support he needed at EAA and recently celebrated his graduation. He was so happy with his experience that he sang the academy’s praises at a Ector Independent School Board meeting.
And now, he’s enrolled at the University of Texas Permian Basin and pursuing a pre-med degree. A beloved uncle passed away shortly before he graduated, but Jhki believes he’s still celebrating his nephew’s success.
“I’m just happy that I did accomplish what I did and I just feel like he’s looking down, smiling at me right now.
Click here to read and view the full story on NewsWest9.
