The experiences you have as a child influence the person you become and the dreams you chase. For University View Academy Class of 2022 graduate Lily Saucier, this is exactly what has driven her to help others.
Her passion for helping others came from her own experience. The daughter of a teacher, Saucier was a commendable student with high-achieving scores in Avoyelles Parish, where she attended kindergarten through 10th grade.
She loved it. It was the perfect fit for her until her anxiety became too overwhelming, and she had a mental breakdown over a test score at the start of her junior year. At that point, Saucier and her family knew change was needed.
That’s when they found University View Academy. Saucier and her mother, Donna, discovered UVA and were very impressed.
“We were in the process of doing research on virtual schools,” Saucier said. “I just remember us thinking that there is no way they send us all this stuff and offer support for free. We thought there had to be a catch.”
Embarking on the journey to enroll in virtual school was a bit nerve-racking for Saucier at first, but those concerns were settled quickly after beginning at UVA. Her decision gave her room to breathe. It also allowed her to move at her own pace and work ahead.
“The support system at UVA was wonderful. There wasn’t a teacher or a counselor or anybody who I couldn’t get in contact with,” Saucier remembered. “That’s what helped me the most in my recovery from my anxiety. I knew that I was at a school that supported me for where I wanted to go and who I wanted to be.”
Saucier found her stride and made the most of her two short years at UVA. She joined the Early College & Career Academy and was able to earn 33 college credit hours through dual enrollment courses by the time she graduated in 2022 at the age of 17. Her time at UVA also prepped her well for the college atmosphere.
“I understood what demands needed to be met in college and what was expected,” Saucier said. “Communicating might have been the biggest skill I learned {at UVA}. I learned how to communicate with my teachers via email and Canvas. I learned that skill at UVA, and that helped me be more prepared for communicating with professors and classmates in college.”
Saucier attained her bachelor’s degree in psychology by December of 2024 from LSU Alexandria. She is currently working on her master’s in social work at Louisiana State University.
“During my healing process, it clicked with me that I could help kids,” Saucier said. “I never want another kid to feel like I once did.”
Reflecting on her favorite memories at UVA, Saucier remembered two things. UVA was where she grew to love learning. Secondly, graduation day is something she will never forget. It was the culmination of hard work and determination, not just for her, but for the class she was a part of.
“We wanted better, and we got it {thanks to UVA},” Saucier noted.
Words of advice to the world from Saucier? “First, your education is very important. Secondly, make sure you take care of yourself and live your life. If you dwell on your mistakes, you will struggle to move forward. Find your passion, and your life will skyrocket.”
University View Academy is Louisiana’s premier tuition-free K-12 online school. We offer a flexible, personalized education choice for residents across Louisiana that is powered by state-certified teachers and supported by in-person Micro Academies.