Central Valley valedictorian graduates early on a healthcare path

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Central Valley graduate is sharing her unconventional path to success after transferring out of a traditional high school and finding her footing at a public charter program.

Liana Zhou describes her high school experience as "difficult" and "confusing," but ultimately rewarding. The 17-year-old opted out of a traditional campus and enrolled at Crescent View South Public Charter, part of the Learn4Life network, where she says she discovered her purpose.

Zhou graduated a year early with a 4.3 GPA and was named valedictorian. She is now set to attend UC Irvine this fall.

"She is a dream student, just amazing, hardworking, and dedicated. We know she's going to go far," said Principal Shacola Green.

Zhou will travel about 270 miles south to begin her freshman year in Southern California.

"I've always liked Southern California. I've always loved the Asian influence there. It would be right where I'm at home," Zhou said.

Her academic path included a significant change. Zhou spent nearly two years at University High School before deciding to leave.

"Everyone there was, like, straight A's, like, 5.0s. They all started nonprofits, and I felt like I just couldn't compete," she said.

She transferred to Crescent View South at the start of her junior year, where she said a more personalized approach helped her succeed.

"You can get the same experiences and maybe a better valued experience when you have a personalized approach," Green said.

Zhou also pursued a healthcare pathway offered at Learn4Life campuses, working toward her goal of becoming a certified nurse assistant. The program provides students with scrubs, shoes and opportunities to tour schools with strong healthcare programs.

"That really cemented, I guess, that I want to work with people as a nurse," Zhou said.

Her mother, Linda Tat, said the support and exposure made a difference.

"The school sets you up ready for it. Giving them pathways of technical schools, giving them college tours. Just giving them more opportunities to look forward to," Tat said.

Zhou was among 600 graduates recognized at the Save Mart Center on Friday. Before heading to UC Irvine, she will travel to Italy for a week as part of a two-student cohort selected from each Learn4Life campuses to meet and learn from international nursing students.

Zhou said she hopes her story encourages other students to consider nontraditional paths.

Her mother agrees with the switch in schools part of her success.

"Each child has their own pathway, and it's okay if you don't go to traditional schooling. There's nothing wrong with it. Everybody will still be able to get to the end of the road, where they need to go," Tat said.