NORTH HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR LEARNS TO WALK FOR GRADUATION NIGHT — A North High School senior with cerebral palsy is only a few steps away from conquering her goals and receiving her diploma at this year's graduation.
When 23ABC News first met Halle Hallowell in 2018 she was just 17-years-old and feeling the pre-prom jitters for the first time.
Halle said living with cerebral palsy hinders her muscle movements.
"When you fall down you keep trying..you get back up again," Halle said.
However, her tenacious outlook on life has always been what sets her apart from others.
"Perseverance...there are many setbacks along the path to what she's trying to accomplish and we've encountered many of them, Halle has overcome all of them through sheer dedication and will to succeed," North High School Instructional Assistant, Robert Bray said.
For the past year, in addition to her academic responsibilities, North High School staff members have watched Halle work to learn how to use her walker. Halle said her hard work and dedication over the past several months has been for one reason.
"Because I want to see my mom's face, my sister's face, my grandma's face, all of my families faces. I have never seen my mom like cry, or my sister cry tears of joy and I would be excited to see that and excited to see me go across the stage," Halle said.
Halle has made it her mission to walk across the stage on graduation night at the Rabobank Arena and she said it will represent more than just her standing up on her own two feet.
"It says that I accomplished my goal and did what I wanted to do," Halle added.
It's been a dream of hers for a long time, but with graduation less than 24 hours away shes said the nerves are setting in a bit.
"I just keep having dreams that I'm going to fall," Halle said.
Despite her fears, as always, Halle said if she does fall she will simply get back up again and keep her eye on the future with big things in mind. She is also planning to attend college.
"I plan to go to Able I went there for a tour and I really liked it," Halle said.
She said she hopes to one day be able to gain her full independence, to help her mom with pay household bills and to act as an inspiration for those who feel like they can't get back up, when the world knocks them down.
"You guys can do it, it's going to be hard at first but you guys can do it," Halle said.
This Thursday May 30 is the big night for Halle as North High holds their graduation at the Rabobank Arena at 6 p.m.
All of us here at 23ABC News want to wish you good luck Halle, you got this!
