FRANK ZAKAMA, STAFFORD HIGH WHAT HE OVERCAME: Frank's mother died in 2009, when he was 14. Despite his grief, Frank studied hard because his mom fled Liberia as a young woman, hoping for a better life and an education for her future children. He vented his anger and sadness on the football field, but an injury in the preseason sidelined him for his senior year. Then Frank's father needed a kidney transplant. Frank kept up his studies while taking his dad to appointments in Richmond and worrying that he would become an orphan before he graduated. IN HIS WORDS: "Don't let the worst bring you down, try and fight through it. You shouldn't just give up. You should keep trying, because there's always a solution to every problem." WHAT'S NEXT: He will attend the University of Virginia--Wise for two years, and then hopes to transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University. Frank plans to major in biology and then get a graduate degree in biomedical engineering.

--Amy Flowers Umble

DEVON BATCHELOR, NORTH STAFFORD HIGH

WHAT HE OVERCAME: In second grade, Devon's reading and writing skills were below average, and he was diagnosed with learning disabilities. Devon felt that the label followed him throughout his school career--that teachers and administrators expected less of him, and that other students thought he received special treatment. Devon was determined to prove them all wrong. He graduated in three years, and he started Germanna Community College before he finished high school. Devon also spent his last two years of high school restoring a 1941 GMC pickup truck with his father. He bought the truck with money from his first job, which he started when he was 15. IN HIS WORDS: "Know what you want to do for yourself and make your own goals and do your own thing. Don't care about other kids' opinions because everyone has their own, so get above that." WHAT'S NEXT: Germanna Community College until January, when Devon plans to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps.

--Amy Flowers Umble

DEVIN ABRAHAM, MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH

WHAT HE OVERCAME: At age 10, Devin was diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome, a neurological disorder marked by involuntary muscle movements and verbal outbursts. At first, Devin was teased because of his tics. Medicine helped him control the involuntary movements, but the drugs left him sleepy and struggling to concentrate. He would often fall asleep in class and during tests. He kept at it, and is "very excited" to be graduating. IN HIS WORDS: "Just be yourself. You're not going to love anybody else if you don't love yourself. And you've got to learn to forgive people." WHAT'S NEXT: Germanna Community College. Eventually, Devin would like to attend James Madison University or Virginia Tech, and then become a teacher.

--Amy Flowers Umble

SHAWNTI COX, BROOKE POINT HIGH

WHAT SHE OVERCAME: Shawnti had just started her last year of high school when her grandfather and legal guardian died. "I didn't know if I was going to be able to complete my senior year," she said. "I didn't even know where I was going to live." She considered leaving school, but knew her grandfather wanted her to go to college. So she moved in with a friend's family and concentrated on her studies. Shawnti also threw herself into community service, helping various local nonprofit groups and signing up for the Medical Reserve Corps. IN HER WORDS: "No matter what, you have to just keep going. Your life can't stop just because you ran into one problem." WHAT'S NEXT: Germanna Community College, where she has earned a scholarship. Shawnti then wants to transfer to George Mason University and study business administration, followed by a stint in the Peace Corps.

--Amy Flowers Umble

SIARA SAMUELS, COLONIAL FORGE HIGH

WHAT SHE OVERCAME: During four years of high school, Siara changed schools nine times, mostly between Spotsylvania and Stafford schools. She also was considered homeless for a brief time, living in Chaplin Youth Center and then an apartment by herself. She mostly received B's and C's in her classes and had behavior issues at school. But in the last year, Siara has been on the honor roll every quarter and not been in any trouble. She began applying to colleges this year, figuring out how to use waivers so her applications would go through. IN HER WORDS: "No matter what any one else says or thinks about me, if I put my mind to it I can do it." WHAT'S NEXT: Siara will be attending Virginia Union University in the fall to study criminal justice. Eventually, she wants to work in crime-scene investigation or with the FBI.

--Lindley Estes