Imanii Ford has always known who she is. Confident, energetic, and — by her own account — consistently fashionable for every occasion. But four years at Summit Sierra Charter High School gave her something she didn’t expect: clarity about who she wants to become. “My high school overall experience has been something I always thought I would never like,” she reflected in her senior spotlight interview, “but coming towards the end I’m thinking about how far I have come and how much farther I can take myself.”
Finding Her Direction
When Imanii was choosing a high school, the appeal of charter school was straightforward: new experiences, and a learning environment that actually fit her. “There were new experiences like Expeditions, and a different learning style that best catered to what I should experience,” she explained. That instinct paid off. One of the biggest challenges she faced in high school was figuring out what she wanted to do with her life — and Summit Sierra’s Expeditions program helped her work through it. “Charter public schools helped me overcome that by allowing me to go through the many expeditions I switched into,” she said, “getting me closer and closer on what I chose to do now.” After exploring Politics & Law, jewelry making, martial arts, and more, Imanii found her answer: she plans to become a lawyer.
All In
Imanii didn’t arrive at Summit Sierra and sit on the sidelines. Over four years, she threw herself into volleyball, basketball, track, cheer dance, martial arts, and jewelry making — and she did it with the same energy she brings to everything. The standout accomplishment? Earning the captaincy of the volleyball team her senior year, after serving as co-captain as a junior. “Becoming the captain for my team and being able to push myself and learn new skills each year is rewarding,” she said, “especially having a group of people count on you to make decisions and lead to progress.” Off the court, she helped organize events celebrating the Black community at Summit Sierra — coordinating food, music, and activities for the whole school, one grade at a time.
Learning About Herself
Imanii is quick to say her core personality hasn’t changed since freshman year — still goofy when the moment calls for it, serious when it doesn’t, and always put-together. But high school taught her something new about herself: “If one of my friends is having a bad day or has negative feelings, I also end up feeling the same way too.” That empathy runs through how she defines success: “learning from my experiences and pushing past them to make changes, as I continue to make a positive impact on the people around me.”
Her favorite class, AP Environmental Science, brought together two sides of her — the creative and the conscientious. And her mentor, Ms. Chesebrough, has been a constant through all of it. “She’s been there since day one,” Imanii said, “putting up with how the school changed and helped me along my unforgettable journey.”
What’s Next
After graduation, Imanii plans to attend a four-year university and pursue a career in law. Her motivation is personal: “I hope to make sure people receive the justice they need and hold others accountable for their negative actions.” She’s also holding onto her parallel passion for cosmetology, which she’s continued developing alongside her academic work.
Advice for Freshmen
For students just starting out at Summit Sierra, Imanii offers the kind of grounded advice that comes from lived experience: explore new activities, speak your mind — but be thoughtful about how. “Take care of yourself,” she added, “because at the end of the day, it’s you and yourself against the world with a little bit of help along the way.” And if she could go back and tell her younger self one thing? “Look more into how people act around you, because those small red flags can lead into something bigger.”
When asked to sum up her senior year in one word, Imanii didn’t hesitate: reflective. “High school was filled with growth and surprisingly no grey hairs, but with challenging experiences along the way which made me realize who I can become for my community.”
Congratulations, Imanii — on the captaincy, the clarity, and everything you’ve built. We wish you all the best on your next adventure.