Single moms among 285 Harding seniors graduated Thursday night

WARREN

Even for the best of students, high school years can be tough.

They’re even tougher when you’re trying to do well in school and you’re the mother of a young child as Alexus Pennington and Tasia Lynch can attest.

Tasia has a 7-month-old daughter, Alexus a 5-year-old son.

Both young women, among the 285 graduating seniors from Warren G. Harding High School who received diplomas at Packard Music Hall Thursday evening, are open about the struggles they had to overcome to graduate.

“It’s been hard having my son and being able to finish school, but I did it,” Alexus said as she proudly displayed her gold cap and gown. “I think my happiest memories of school are of my son.”

Besides being friends, Tasia and Alexus have something else in common. Both plan on entering the nursing field. Alexus is headed to Youngstown State University, while Tasia will be enrolled in nursing at Kent State at Trumbull.

“I’ve always wanted to help people,” said Tasia, and Alexus said her experience as a mother has directed her to nursing so she can “take care of babies.”

Harding’s valedictorian, Allyson Crays, knows what her career goals are. “I want to work in Washington, D.C., as a lobbyist,” she said just before she took her place on stage. “I’ve always been interested in healthcare and politics.”

Read more about the grads and their ceremony in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.