This student had more guts and determination than most. She was in her early twenties, but she had leukemia, which at the time was in remission. She always wore a scarf on her head because she had lost her hair during chemotherapy treatments.

Despite everything she was facing, she had a cheerful attitude. She was responsible, prepared, and determined to continue with her education. She missed only a couple of classes because of her illness and never expected special treatment. In fact, some of the other students were not even aware of her condition.

Near the end of the quarter, the leukemia returned.

Still, she kept going. She completed all of her assignments, came to class, and even showed up to take the final exam.

About two weeks later, she passed away.

Her attitude and determination stayed with her professor, Marlon Andrus. As he recalled, she had earned an A– in the class, but he gave her an A.

He was left with a question worth considering: How many of us, knowing that our lives were coming to an end, would still bother to show up and take the final exam?

Her determination wasn’t really about a grade. It was about finishing what she had started. She refused to allow her illness to decide how she would live the time she had left. She kept showing up, kept doing the work, and kept moving forward.

In Professor Andrus’s words, “In my book, she certainly passed the final exam of life.”

Perhaps there are different ways of graduating with honors. Some honors are printed on diplomas. Others are written quietly into the lives of the people who witnessed our courage, character, and determination.

As told by Marlon Andrus in his book 12,000 Students Later.

Did you miss the last Remarkable People story? Read Looking Back, a reflection on the people, experiences, and moments that can take on even greater meaning when we stop long enough to remember them.