Senior Success: Madera High student overcomes language and cultural barriers to graduate

MADERA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Starting over at a new school can be intimidating, but for Mahnoor Rizwan, the challenge was even greater.

She began high school in a new country, navigating a different education system, language and culture - all while racing against the clock to graduate.

Now a senior at Madera High School, Rizwan is preparing to graduate less than two years after moving to the area from Pakistan with her family at the start of her junior year.

"I feel so excited," Rizwan said. "I did a lot of hard work."

When Rizwan first arrived, everything felt unfamiliar. She did not speak English, struggled to find her classes and found it difficult to connect with others.

"The environment is very different, the culture is very different and it is hard for me to learn when I come here," she said.

"I can't find my classes, and nobody is here to help me," Rizwan added. "So I am very confused. It's a very hard moment for me."

The challenges extended beyond language. Although Rizwan had attended school in Pakistan and had fully memorized the Quran, her previous education did not count toward her graduation requirements.

Her school counselor, Becky Valdivia, said she relied on Google Translate to explain the situation.

"My conversations were mainly that - how are we going to get you to complete four years of high school in two years?" Valdivia said.

Rizwan qualified for AB 2121, which would have allowed her an additional year to complete her requirements, but she declined.

"Her thing was always, 'I'm not going to do it in three. I'm going to do it in two,'" Valdivia said. "And 'OK, we're going to do it in two, but let me tell you this is what you're going to have to do.'"

Rizwan was placed in the school's newcomers class, a one-year program focused on helping students transition into U.S. schools with an emphasis on English and literacy.

Under the guidance of teacher Kevin Whipple and through her own determination, she learned English within months.

From there, Rizwan worked year-round to make up credits.

"She had to do some classes after school. She had to do some classes during summer school and also a few other classes during the school year in an extra period that she was provided," Valdivia said.

Rizwan said long nights became routine.

"I always just go to my room and then complete my work even if it's 12 p.m. in the night or 11 o'clock," she said. "I don't care about the time. I just care about my studies."

The effort paid off. Rizwan will graduate this spring with a 3.25 GPA and alongside the rest of her senior class. Valdivia said the speed and scale of her progress stand out.

"I have had students who accomplish a lot, who go off and do well in college," Valdivia said. "But to see that happen in the short amount of time that she made it happen is what makes her story very unique."

Rizwan said the experience has given her confidence.

"I think I can achieve everything," she said.

After graduation, Rizwan plans to attend Madera Community College, where she hopes to study radiology.

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