Great Grad: Southridge Senior Ready For Any Challenge

MIAMI (CBS4) - Abigail George is ready to take on any challenge that comes her way.

Not only is she an intelligent young lady, she is also very determined, courageous and admired by many.

"She is unique, she is proud and humble. She has so many great qualities about her, it is hard to describe in one or two words," said Miami Southridge Senior High School Principal Bianca Calzadilla.

Abi, as her friends call her, will be graduating from Miami Southridge High School this summer. It's a huge accomplishment for the 18-year old whose life has been filled with one heart break after another.

When she was 13-years old, her older brother committed suicide. Two years later her other brother lost his life in a car accident.

"And throughout all that my mother and stepfather were struggling with alcoholism," said George.

George said she also had to deal with her own personal issues.

"I was very depressed. I had a problem cutting and eating disorder. Coming to Southridge saved my life," said George.

George made the decision to enroll at Southridge in the 10th grade after being home schooled for eight years. There she said she found a sense of family and discovered her love for acting which helped her to escape from her problems.

The 18 year old began to share her positive outlook with other children. In 2011 she volunteered during the summer at Knowledge Builders of Florida, a nonprofit that helps elementary school age children overcome learning disabilities and behavior disorders. There, she created a new drama class in which she taught groups of 10 to 15 students.

"I couldn't save my brother but I could save others by giving them a positive outlet," said George.

George said she is now very proud of herself and has a lot of people to thank that have helped her along the way because she admits it wasn't an easy road. She won the 2013 Silver Knight Award for Drama; she is the first Southridge student in 20 years to win this award.

In August, George will move with her father to Orlando where she'll attend Seminole State Community College. Later she plans to transfer to UCF. There she hopes to receive a degree in Social Work. George said her goal is open a nonprofit organization to help other children dealing with the same issues she worked so hard to deal with.