How Arieonna McNeill Turned Challenges into Graduation Success with Penn Foster Online High School
For Arieonna McNeil from North Carolina, a traditional classroom with set schedules and deadlines just wasn’t the right fit at that point in her life. At 18, she faced health challenges and a complicated home situation that made attending a typical school nearly impossible. But with determination and the flexibility of Penn Foster High School, Arieonna turned her obstacles into a graduation milestone she’ll never forget.
From skepticism to success
Arieonna’s journey started after leaving Grace Creek High School and a brief stint at Cumberland County Academy Virtual School, which required strict, full-time live classes.
“That didn’t work with my medical appointments,” she says. But she still wanted to graduate, so started looking for other options. “And… I was skeptical about Penn Foster, but when I started, the opportunities, staff, and system were incredible. That’s where my journey began.”
The self-paced structure at Penn Foster allowed Arieonna to complete lessons and exams on her schedule. No rigid timelines or back-to-back classes she couldn’t attend. She instead found support, flexibility, and a new chance to succeed.
Staying motivated through life’s challenges
While a self-paced online high school can, at first, seem like it would be a breeze, Arieonna admits it wasn’t always easy.
“At first, I was very motivated, doing work every day. But when my health worsened, I felt like giving up. I questioned why this was happening to me. A wise woman reminded me that my family’s struggles didn’t have to define me, and that pushed me back on track.”
With encouragement from her loved ones and a desire to break certain cycles in her family, Arieonna kept pushing.
“Honestly, my family… had me thinking, I need to be better than this. That opportunity motivated me to keep going.”
Read more: Aaliyah Williams Finds Her Second Chance
Advice for future Penn Foster students
From her experience with Penn Foster, as well as struggling with motivation, Arieonna has some words of wisdom for students who might be considering an online high school:
“Stay on track. It’s very different from public school, so you need to keep up with it every day. Also, soak in the experience because it goes by really fast. Honestly, if you have the chance to attend Penn Foster, do it—it’s amazing.”
Even further, when you’re struggling to stay on track and stay motivated, when you just want to give up, she advises other students to “keep going. It might feel impossible, but trust me, you can do it. Even without a perfect support system, you can create a better future for yourself. Put your trust in God, stay focused, and don’t give up.”
Graduation: a milestone to celebrate
From starting Penn Foster in October 2024 with 14 credits already completed to graduating by March 2025, Arieonna’s journey was fast but impactful.
“Walking across the stage means so much, and I’m grateful my loved ones made it possible. I hadn’t seen it in my family, so it wasn’t ‘normal’ for me.”
Her time at Penn Foster didn’t just help her earn a diploma—it taught her independence, time management, and resilience.
“Penn Foster changed me in so many ways. It strengthened my faith, patience, and proved to me that I could overcome obstacles I never thought I would. It’s been life changing.”
Arieonna’s story proves that with determination and the right support, finishing high school—even under difficult circumstances—is possible.
Thinking about finishing your high school diploma online? Learn more about how Penn Foster High School can help you take control of your education and reach your goals—just like Arieonna did. Reach out to our Admissions Specialists at 1-888-427-6500 today.
