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Leilani – A Story of Grit, Grief, and Growth
In this moving episode of the Elevated Hope Project, we sit down with Leilani Billy, a senior at the Accelerated Learning Center, whose story embodies resilience, cultural pride, and unshakable perseverance. From growing up on the Navajo Nation to navigating academic struggles, profound personal loss, and the challenges of urban life in Phoenix, Leilani opens up about her journey toward graduation — and the determination it took to overcome every obstacle in her path.
As she prepares to graduate and pursue a career in the trades, Leilani reflects on reconnecting with her Navajo heritage, the vital support of her school community, and the importance of using her story to inspire others. Her message to students facing grief, hardship, or feeling behind: you are not alone, and you are not done yet.
This episode is a tribute to the mission of Elevated Education — to provide second chances and spark transformation through schools like East Pointe High School, Elevated Academy, and the Accelerated Learning Center.
0:00 Leilani's Introduction and Background
2:18 Navajo Culture and Traditions
5:09 Challenges in School and Personal Losses
10:20 Transition to Accelerated Learning Center (ALC)
15:10 Positive Experiences and Teacher Connections
19:48 Future Plans and Community Support
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Elevated Hope Project is a podcast by Elevated Education that shares real stories of students who have overcome challenging life circumstances to graduate high school. It highlights resilience, perseverance, and the power of education to create change.
The podcast is produced by Elevated Education, an organization dedicated to helping students succeed academically and in life. James Meehan, Chris Meehan, and Sarah Spangler are the hosts!
Our guests are students who have faced adversity—such as poverty, family struggles, or difficult environments—and found a way to persevere and graduate high school. Each episode features a personal journey of resilience and triumph.
The Elevated Hope Project covers topics such as:
- Overcoming personal and academic challenges
- The impact of mentors and support systems
- Strategies for staying motivated despite obstacles
- How education changes lives and creates opportunities
You can listen to the Elevated Hope Project on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube!
If you have successfully graduated from one of our schools, we'd love to hear your story! Fill out the form below and we'll be in touch!
We release new episodes every Thursday!. Subscribe to stay updated on the latest episodes!
Yes! If you know a student with an incredible story to share, fill out the form below and we'll be in touch!