When Whitefish Independent High School Senior Araya Nieves walks across the stage on May 30th, it means more to her than the traditional high school student.

The first in her family to graduate, Nieves has gone through “many ups and downs to get here.”

But with support from the Independent High School and her family, she’s been able to pave her own path to graduation. 

Growing up, Nieves moved around between Columbia Falls and Whitefish. 

By the time of her freshman year, Nieves moved in with her Aunt, enrolled at the Whitefish Independent High School, and started working full time. 

It was then that “the Independent High School started to help me be stable, go at my own pace and have individual time with the teachers.”

Even with things like driver’s ed., Nieves had to do it differently from most kids in Whitefish.

“I had to just study for the test myself instead. With my learning, I’m not like one of those kids that can just look at it once and get it. So when I failed twice at first, I just didn’t give up.” 

With all challenges, Nieves is optimistic. 

“You have to make the most of what you've been given. And be proud of it. The big thing is just being happy with yourself… because it’s your story.”

Nieves is especially grateful for everyone at the Independent High School, from the teachers to the office staff, who have done everything from offering encouragement to helping her get clothes for work.

Through it all, “there were points where I was so mentally and physically exhausted and I wanted to drop out, wondering if it was all worth it. But people at school told me ‘you are going to get to where you want to go. Don’t give up.’”

Those boosts are just what Araya needed. “The extra boost from people who surround you makes you who you are – that’s my life. I’m very thankful.”

Nieves is also grateful for her family. “They along with the Independent High School have got me to where I am today.”

“My Auntie had the encouragement to take me in at my lowest point and make me the person that I know I could be and to help me battle stuff everyday. And being around my little cousins and her all the time is great.”

Nieves also beams with love for her sister, Kaylen. 

“She’s a wonderful girl and a wonderful mom to a two-year old. They’re the joy of my life… she’s shown me what life is like.”

Nieves also recognizes her dad’s support. “I know he’s proud of me and I appreciate that.”

Just this past weekend, Araya was fishing and camping at Graves Creek Campground in the Hungry Horse Reservoir.

“I recently found out I actually love fishing. My dad actually just started getting me into it. And that bonding time is really nice.”

Nieves also likes hiking, swimming and paddle boarding. “I like going up in the middle of the lake and just hanging out.”

Nieves tries to spread optimism to motivate those around her, too. “I try to make everyone happy and just say, okay, today is just today. We just have to get through today and wish for tomorrow's best.”

After graduation, Nieves is working out arrangements to live in Coram with her sister. 

At some point, she envisions going to cosmetology school and owning her own business, “whether it takes me months or years,” Nieves said. 

“It’s such a beautiful thing to see where I started and where I’ve ended. Because in the middle there’s so much where you don’t know. But for now, you don’t need to know where you’re going.”

That’s because no matter where Nieves goes, she will always find her own path. 

“At the end, it was all worth it…. I saw that gown and I just cried. I looked at myself, and then I looked at Jenny [St. Onge, WHS Secretary], and I said ‘I did it.’ And Jenny said ‘You did it.’”

 Nieves looks forward to coloring a senior tile on the top of the school’s roof to leave her mark. 

“The school is a community where you feel the strength of others. It’s a great place… so on my tile, I’m writing ‘I found my path.’”