Tysheka Jefferson was looking at a career flipping burgers.

The 19-year-old Tanner High School student had passed all of her classes but was struggling to pass the state graduation exam and didn’t see much point in continuing her studies.

“I was seriously thinking about dropping out a couple of times,” said the 19-year-old. “I guess I would have worked in fast food.”

Although Tysheka was passing her classes, she needed to pass the state-required exam to graduate. Students get six chances to pass tests in math, science, language, writing, reading and social studies beginning in the spring of 10th grade. About 92 percent of students pass all five parts.

Through her own determination and the help of a graduation coach, Dr. Deana Hollaway Young, her aunt, and Principal Billy Owens, Tysheka decided to stay in school.

On her sixth and final attempt at the exit exam, Tysheka passed everything but the social studies portion. She could not receive a diploma. She started taking classes to earn a GED, but missed the registration date to take the exam.

It looked like the fast-food industry was calling.

Her only hope was an amendment pending before the Alabama State Board of Education that would let her and other seniors graduate this year. The measure would allows students who haven’t passed all five sections of the exit exam to graduate this school year if they pass three of the five sections, including reading and math. Tysheka wrote a letter to Limestone County Schools Superintendent Dr. Barry Carroll because she thought he would have a part in the decision, though it was actually the state board’s call. Here is part of her letter:

“Dear Dr. Carroll,

My name is Tysheka Jefferson and I am a Tanner High School senior. I am writing you regarding the proposal being voted on May 8th. I am not writing for anyone to feel sorry for me. I am just saying that I hope and pray that it is passed. I didn’t pass the Social Studies part of the Graduation Exam. I was really hurt and felt like giving up, but my principal and my graduation teacher, Dr. Young, told me not to. I listen to them and I am still holding on. I was going to my GED classes, but I can’t take it because I wasn’t there for the registration. Then, I just felt like there was no need for me to go to school anymore. I was thinking of just quitting and working at a fast-food restaurant. No, I do not want to do that. I am going to college and I am going to get a good paying job…. I see people in my class just giving up. I am not going to; I am going to make it! … Thank you so much for your time.”

On Thursday, the State Board of Education passed the emergency amendment that lets Tysheka and other seniors graduate this year.

“I was so happy – so happy!” Tysheka said.

She will graduate in about 19 days, 18 hours and about 30 minutes. She has already tried on the forest green gown, cap and tassel she plans to wear to commencement.

“I graduate May 29 at 6 o’clock,” Tysheka says as if she’d been rehearsing saying the date.

Persistence helped her dodge a bleaker future and earn her diploma.