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An estimated 3,316,280 students graduated high school this year, wearing stoles that tie them to hundreds of years of tradition and history as they walk to get their diplomas. The hierarchies of academic and extracurricular achievement are traditionally symbolized by colors that mark degree levels, organizations, as well as honors.

Ty’unna and Iris, high school seniors in South Carolina, are celebrating a more inclusive graduation day and revolutionizing what success looks like. The stoles they wore represent a more complete portrait of today’s girl — where resiliency and emotional wellness are celebrated on the same stage as academic and extracurricular achievement. 

“To me the graduation stole is not just a piece of fabric, it represents who I am and is a statement of what I have overcome to make it to the finish line. I am not just graduating because of my academic success but because I have learned that I have the power to be my own best advocate,” shared Iris. 

We must understand the role emotional support plays in getting students, particularly women, through high school. Students have reported that their mental health and emotional struggles keep them from achieving their goals, whether passing a class, graduating high school or attending college.

“Ty’unna and Iris have taught me lessons on persistence that are unparalleled. Most girls I work with at Pace Center for Girls are behind in school,” shared Lisa Spears, South Carolina Reach Program Director. “The enormity of the mountain they had to climb to make it to graduation cannot be understated.”

There is no question that young people are telling us that they are in a mental health crisis. The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicated a startling 57% of teen girls—nearly 3 in 5—reported feeling “persistently sad or hopeless,” while 30% said they had seriously considered dying by suicide, an increase of 60% since 2011. These numbers are the highest they’ve been in the last decade. 

“I think people don’t take mental health seriously because some people aren’t going through mental health issues to the same extent as others,” Ty’unna said. “Mental health needs to be taken more seriously. People are dying because of the stigma.”

Young people, caregivers, behavioral health providers, and policymakers are calling attention to the issue through awareness campaigns and efforts to increase the availability of quality mental and emotional health services. There is an assumed stigma that can come with sharing mental and emotional health challenges. It is evident that Ty’unna and Iris are rewriting that narrative — starting with their community of peers.

“Wearing a stole that represents both my academic and emotional wellness journey gives me courage. I want everyone to know that I am a Pace girl, and I am going to walk extra slow so everyone can see it,” shared Ty’unna.

As first-generation college students, Ty’unna and Iris are eager to pursue their post-grad endeavors as students at Florence-Darlington Technical College. Ty’unna plans on becoming an esthetician while Iris plans on becoming a nurse.

As for the legacy both girls are leaving, Iris shared, “My success looks different than others. I’m the first Pace South Carolina graduate and the first person in my family to attend college. I’m wearing a stole that sends a message to my community, and I hope to inspire other girls to stand proud in who they are.”  

Amid the current youth mental health crisis, teen girls across the country are facing record levels of sadness and despair, with nearly 3 in 5 teen girls (57%) saying they felt “persistently sad or hopeless,” the highest in a decade. And a national shortage of school counselors means that many young people have limited access to support.

But there are signs of hope as teen girls are stepping in to become mental health responders for themselves and their peers.

Meet Dayna and Kiara

Dayna and Kiara first met working together and formed a close friendship. Kiara confided in Dayna, a Pace graduate, about her struggles with school and personal mental health challenges.

“Go to Pace — it has small classrooms and a nice, more hands-on environment,” Dayna recommended. “There are therapists as well if you ever want to talk about any issues.”

Dayna supported Kiara through her conversation with her parents about joining Pace, and after a meeting with counselors, Kiara enrolled.

We asked the girls what mental health awareness means to them.

“Accepting your issues and being open about them,” Dayna said, “Advocating for yourself, making sure that you know how to get the help you need.”

“When you feel like you are not alone,” Kiara said, “There are people that are there for you and can talk to you to help you through depression.”

As an introvert, Dayna said Pace pushed her to come out of her shell, which became the reason she advocated for girls to attend Pace.

“I feel like (Kiara) is my little sister,” Dayna said, “When I was going through my mental health struggles, all I wanted was someone to tell me that I wasn’t alone and that I had someone who cared.”

Since graduating in 2020, Dayna has referred a number of girls in similar situations to Pace.

When discussing the biggest challenges facing teen girls, the girls focused on three major issues: mental health, social media, and sexual harassment.

Before Pace, Dayna was reserved when talking about the issues she was facing. Pace helped her with her social anxiety by providing her with opportunities, including speaking at Pace Day at the Capitol.

“You have to be vocal about what you’re going through,” Dayna said. “If you’re not vocal about it, then no one’s gonna know how to help you.”

Today, Dayna is studying IT at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Kiara graduated from Pace in Spring 2023, plans on taking a gap year and going to Florida State College at Jacksonville as well to study business in order to eventually open up a bakery.

“I just wanted to be the person she (Kiara) could talk to,” Dayna said, “Let her know that she doesn’t have to go through everything by herself.”

The girls were asked to reflect on their younger selves and provide advice for going through life.

“Don’t listen to what people got to say, stay true to yourself,” Kiara said.

“Keep pushing. Keep fighting,” Dayna said. “Don’t let anything hold you back or get you down.”

On April 10th, the same day we got a chance to connect with the girls, Dayna and Kiara celebrated their friendship anniversary and decided to go out and commemorate it.

Kiara created an art piece to acknowledge THE PLAYERS Championship Village grant, which features her holding Dayna’s hand to celebrate their friendship and their care for one another.