(Photo courtesy of Teneisha Mitchell)
My daughter Olivia is a phenomenal and exceptional child who appreciates challenges as young as I can remember. Olivia taught herself to read at a tender age and was able to solve simple math problems using long division at the age of two. As she progressed, she began taking interest in what she calls researching information via the internet as well as library books. I remember at the age of three, Olivia would stay up late nights using her tablet. Her dad was so concerned that even after I assured him the tablet was not the reason for staying up late, he still took it away from her. Unbeknownst to him, Olivia still stayed up even later, but instead, she had a book and pencil writing pages upon pages of words, both correct and misspelled. When asked what she was writing about , she replied, “I am writing a story.” She never ceases to amaze me.
Olivia attended La Petite Academy at 2 years old and Saint Tabernacle Day School by 1st grade. Olivia was placed in between the 1st and 2nd grades due to her level of knowledge for her age. She spent the 1st half of her day in a 1st grade classroom and then transitioned to 2nd grade classroom each afternoon. Amidst frequently relocating, Olivia was very focused on her studies. Conversations with her were on another level. No matter how they started, it is always on an educational topic. I literally used to hide from conversations with her because education knows no time or place when speaking with her.
I remember in the 4th grade while attending Trapnell Elementary. Her teachers spoke very highly of Olivia and how she never hesitates to help her peers. In the last quarter of 4th grade, English class, her teacher became concerned about her grade dropping to a B- as she usually maintains a higher grade in her class. I instantly knew the problem. She became bored because the work was no longer challenging, causing her to lack interest. Her drive needed to be refueled. Olivia was recommended by her after-school teacher, Ms. Robyn- Metropolitan Ministry to Academy Prep Center of Tampa. She saw Olivia’s potential. One of the best decisions I made enrolling her once she passed the entry test. She was given a need-based scholarship, which was great. Olivia excelled beyond measures at Academy Prep due to the curriculum being taught two grades above level. Due to military movement, she spent only a short time in the school, which was a heartbreak. However, I am grateful for the time and experience. This school was literally 6 days per week, 11 hours per day, and 11 months per year. As unusual as it seems, she loved it. Olivia was never bored and excelled bountifully.
(Photo courtesy of Teneisha Mitchell)
Olivia would help me with my college work, saying, “Mommy, I learned that at school,” and goes on to give me the correct answers. My least favorite subject in college was History. Amazingly, it sparked interest for Olivia, causing me to come home from work to my assignments completed. Initially, I thought I was losing my mind after working long hours, doing hybrid classes and assignments during downtime away from home. There was a particular assignment I knew for sure I didn’t do, but it was completed after I logged into my course. Only to find out Olivia was the one completing my assignments. I am not ashamed to say my daughter, a 5th grader at the time, was the A behind my history grade. That’s when I knew for sure she was ready to take on more challenges that I expected.
Olivia is my motivation, she assist me with her knowledge, thoughts, and input during my studies. I pray to wake another day just for her. I also taught her over the years, everything that I have learned while attending college, whether she understood or not, to give her familiarity with what’s ahead in the educational world.
During the years, although Olivia attended traditional school settings, I would also homeschool her as she is eager to learn more. Instead of going to the 6th grade, I requested Olivia to be placed in the 7th grade to help with her not loosing focus due to boredom as she transitioned from a school with a higher grade level curriculum buy was denied due to her age. Olivia went on to attend the 6th grade. I then had her do a standardized test for 8th graders while in the 6th grade, and only 1% of the 8th graders scored higher than her. Olivia completed the 6th grade, and once again, we had to move. This time to Fort Stewart, GA, where she entered Liberty County High School with the results from homeschooling “LA Vie Academy” and the test results from the standardized test. Olivia was placed on a 4-week probationary period and weekly testing there after, and still beat the odds of the schools concern with her age and academic capabilities. She stayed top of her classes and was admired by all her teachers who found her very respectful, motivated, and a well-rounded individual.
Olivia wanted to do her Pathway program in the medical field, but due to her age, she was denied until she was said to reach 16 years of age. The only problem is that at 16 years old, Olivia would have already graduated high school. She was placed and decided to settle for Teaching as a Professional. Although she had no interest, she had a great teacher, Ms. Schaadt, who encouraged her. Olivia took a liking to the course and was excited, especially when she did visits and intershipship at the elementary school. She spoke very highly of “her second graders” and couldn’t wait to return each day. She successfully completed her Pathway program with a certificate in Teaching as a Professional.
During 9th and 10th grade, Olivia was denied the option of dual enrollment once again due to her age, even though she was qualified based on grade level. During 11th grade, Olivia was granted the opportunity to enroll in dual enrollment, and she was excited. She enjoyed the change of environment. She claimed the environment was more of a mature and respectful setting. Three weeks before Olivia finished the last semester of the school year, it was time to relocate once again due to military family PCS. She was given a choice to stay and complete the next three weeks of dual enrollment and one month for 11th grade, but she refused to stay behind. This caused a big interruption in Olivia’s education. She lost 12 college credits and was unable to get credited for important courses, especially her forensics class.
Through all that, Olivia fought the odds and did not give up. She attended Humphreys High Scholl the last 3 weeks of the said semester, which seemed like a waste of time as she felt defeated after receiving her first C on information she had little to no knowledge of the course work.
The following school year after withdrawing from Humphreys H.S. (fall 2023), Olivia attended Acellus Academy Online homeschooling and was able to pick up more classes to keep her busy at the University of Maryland Global Campus. This assists her in finding herself and a balance to what she considers her norm. In 2024, Olivia returned to Humphreys High School, continued Acellus Academy to finish her already enrolled courses, and attended UMGC all at the same time. This child of mine never stops. She managed her grades and assignments very well as I occasionally checked, allowing her to do her thing. Olivia completed UMGC and Humphreys High School within her 2-year stay at Camp Humphreys, South Korea. Her associate degree was given to her from UMGC dated December 2024, and her diploma from Humphreys High School dated June 2025 (early graduation January 2025). Olivia is eager to continue to the next level of her life. However, as a parent, I see the need for a break. She has been going non-stop from 2020-2025, all year round, through summer. Olivia will return working on her Bachelor/Masters- dual program for Fall 2025. I am the “Most Proud Mother” there is. God could have never given me a better child. She motivates herself, is self independent, respectful, helpful, well- mannered, and a go-getter.
I need her to know that she has done exceptional for her age amidst the hold back because of “that said” age. Words can’t explain my true overwhelm feeling of joy. Keep Striving my Sunshine!!!
