Orchard View Valedictorian Overcame Hearing Loss

WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. -- Abigail Swartvagher graduated from Orchard View Alternative High School at the top of her class, serving as valedictorian. This already impressive accomplishment is only more awe-inspiring when you consider that she has 75 percent hearing loss, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal.

Abigail Swartvagher with one of her teachers on graduation day.
Photo Credit: *Twitter*

Jason Bisnoff

06/27/2016 6:00 p.m.

Despite good grades the 18-year-old was having a tough time with daily lessons and was falling through the cracks at the sizable John Jay High School. That led to her decision to transfer to Orchard View and move on to address the other 15 graduates in her class at a ceremony held at Wappingers Junior High School, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal.

Swartvagher will head to Bard College next year on a scholarship with plans to study human rights and then move on to law school all in hopes of being a human rights lawyer. She credited the format and attention from the small school as integral to her success, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal.

Click here to read the article at the Poughkeepsie Journal.

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