Soon-to-Graduate Student Thrives in Texas Tech High School

By Leslie Cranford, section manager

Torri Vasquez has been a cheerleader, a beauty pageant winner, a UIL state robotics champion – and a survivor of bullying.

Sometime before her junior year, Torri knew something had to change. In fact, she prayed about it.

“Toward the end of my junior high years and throughout my first couple years of high school I experienced getting bullied,” the 17-year-old explained. “This caused me a lot of self-doubt and mental health issues, which led to not being able to reach my full potential academically. While I was struggling, I leaned on God and prayed he would provide me with a better path to follow during this difficult time.”

After a few months of praying, someone suggested to her that she could take school through Texas Tech. Hesitant at first, being fearful of not having enough self-discipline, she felt choosing Texas Tech K-12 online was what she was being led to pursue.

Amid the hurtful memories, public high school wasn’t all bad. Torri’s favorite part was getting to cheer. She is not cheering currently, but she does plan to do so in college. In 2022 she also was part of her high school’s State Champion Robotics BEST Division team.

Torri, whose favorite color is bright pink because she says it perfectly reflects her vibrant personality, also has competed in local pageants since she was 9 years old, thoroughly enjoying them and winning Miss Fannin County in 2019 – a title she kept for two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These accomplishments during her traditional schooling are definitely points of pride for the teen.

As academics go, though, Torri said public school usually felt like a lot of time was spent on irrelevant things with attention divided among a classroom full of students. Torri’s mom, Terri, says Texas Tech K-12 has played a key role in helping Torri mature emotionally and thrive academically over the past two years.

“Each morning, she wakes up, gets dressed and prepares for the day as if she’s heading to work,” Terri said. “I have no doubt she will excel in college, as she is already familiar with a college-style learning environment and has developed a strong, self-motivated work ethic.”

Torri explains how Texas Tech K-12 has been beneficial for her because her educational needs are able to be met and not overlooked or avoided. In fact, her overall experience has been spectacular.

Her list of pluses includes teachers who are kind and helpful, and she is able to learn efficiently. She enjoys engaging in her courses by attending weekly tutorial sessions. These have helped her tremendously with obtaining a better understanding of any curriculum she is struggling with, and she is able to work independently at her own pace, which allows her to succeed. She loves to read and write, and English is her favorite subject. She loves that she can accomplish all of this with her golden doodle Kenny by her side, which wouldn’t be possible in a traditional classroom.

She has been measurably more successful – and happier – in the online school environment. Torri has noticed particular growth in her test-taking abilities. In the past she struggled with exams, but after her first year in Texas Tech K-12 she was able to master the STAAR test. She attributes that directly to how the teachers use the curriculum to educate students with knowledge they need to succeed.

“Now that I have been doing my education through this wonderful program, my grades have reached a new high, and I have been given many amazing opportunities,” Torri said excitedly. “Since starting Texas Tech K-12 I have realized I want to become a therapist and public speaker for children who have experienced similar struggles as me when it comes to bullying.” 

Torri also has been watching her two older sisters – Ashley, the middle sister, and Shelby, the oldest – who are both in college pursuing their dream careers

So, Torri’s goals for the future are to major in communications and then get a master’s degree in psychology. She hopes to cheer in college, but she is still deciding which college she will attend next year.

Being a huge fan of the Texas Tech K-12 program, there is no doubt Torri would tell other students to give it a try, but she has specific reasons. The first encompasses the stress and fear associated with academic performance and social interactions, especially in environments where bullying occurs. These obstacles are not an issue when enrolled in Texas Tech’s program. Another reason she says is it gives students the opportunity to focus on their specific educational needs according to their own schedule and activities they may need to work around.

“Most importantly, Texas Tech K-12 allows you to focus on your education at your own pace and provides you with an enriching learning experience while cultivating self-discipline and encouraging self-motivation,” Torri added.

And Terri truly appreciates how her daughter can focus on her studies without being distracted by negative social influences. Torri has rediscovered her sense of self-worth, and her confidence has soared because she now recognizes her achievements are a result of her own efforts.

“She understands that her value comes from within—through her faith and her ability to overcome challenges—not from others’ opinions or the external world,” Terri said, with proud mom tears welling up in her eyes. “Texas Tech K-12 has been an incredible blessing for my daughter.”

Indeed, away from the bullying, Torri has found renewed self-confidence and higher self-esteem, tightly bound by her belief in her favorite Bible verse, Psalm 139:14.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well.”