Shifting mindsets: LEAD ‘22 alumna learns the importance of mental health while on her path toward success

LEAD Charter School alumna Dayanara Rocha-Castillo went from being burnt out and having to repeat freshman year to graduating with the class of 2022 at just 16 years old. 

Before attending LEAD, Dayanara’s relationship with education was a constant challenge. She recalled a specific period when even doing homework became a chore. 

“I remember in the second grade, my mom always pushed me to do my homework,” Dayanara said. “She had to sit there with me for three hours, and I’d be running around and be like, ‘nope, I don’t want to do it.’ And I always thought to myself, ‘is this ever going to end?’” 

Although she eventually found the motivation to do her homework and succeed academically, it became a double-edged sword. Dayanara wanted to be the best of the best, but it came at the cost of her mental health. She started freshman year at her former high school during the 2019-2020 school year. The pandemic, mixed with her rigorous coursework, made her experience at her previous school “10 times worse.”  

“I didn't feel at home,” said Dayanara. “I think it might have been the best for other people, [but] for me, it wasn’t a true fit. And I think it was a good decision to leave and to go to another school.” 

Dayanara needed to repeat freshman year all while her mental health continued to suffer - she was feeling defeated. When Dayanara expressed her feelings with the social worker at her former school, she told Dayanara that LEAD might be a good fit for her because the charter school emphasized social-emotional learning. When Dayanara learned more about LEAD, she decided to transfer. 

Once Dayanara transferred to LEAD, a transfer of her mindset followed—she finally found her niche and her home.

Shabani Stewart, LEAD’s Managing Director of Curriculum and Instruction, added, “Dayanara is a perfect example of how the success of young people is multifaceted and interconnected. Dayanara's growth and success in multiple areas of her life, not just in academics, was an outcome of providing her with a community with a holistic support system. Once she had that, all the pieces fell into place.”

Her time at LEAD made her realize that “everything isn’t a run to the top” and that the ability to navigate the emotional and social parts of life are part of what it means to become successful. While at LEAD, Dayanara connected with a support system that gave her insights into preventing burnout and achieving success. 

“They told me, ‘look, if you want to succeed, that's good but if you’re going to burn yourself out in the process, there’s no point because you’re not going to be there by the time you [become successful],’” she said. “Sometimes you have to show yourself grace, give yourself a break for the time being and say ‘I’m doing as much as I can. Some things are out of my control and I just have to control what I can.’” 

Her support system inside and outside of LEAD helped her become the person she is today. In fact, one of the highlights from her time at LEAD was a friendship she made with another student who “guided her [through] the whole experience.” 

“She was like a breath of fresh air because she went through so much and she reminded me so much of myself,” she said. “She’s so much older than me but she was so resilient. After everything that has happened to her, it really made me think that if she could do it, I could [as well].” 

Not only did Dayanara graduate high school early, but she was accepted to Brigham Young University and Carnegie Mellon’s pre-college summer programs. She will be attending Essex County Community College in the fall and plans on transferring to Brigham Young University, located in Utah, the following semester. Her long-term goal is to be an advocate and a social worker. She also wants to pursue her master’s degree in the field. 

“Anyone who goes to LEAD [can come] out a different person as long as they put in the effort to change themselves,” Dayanara said. “Everyone might want to change you, but as long as you don’t want to change yourself, nothing is going to happen. LEAD is such a safe space that you can change and people won’t judge you. They’ll actually want the best for you.” 

After transferring to three different high schools and shifting her mentality, Dayanara is planning her most significant transfer yet—onward and upward toward her goals.