Willard Alternative High grad wants to study psychology (2024)

When Alora Stroh graduated from Willard Alternative High School in Missoula on May 30, she was the first in four generations of her family to achieve that accomplishment.

"I am breaking generational trauma," she explained.

Stroh has been through a lot, but she's made it through high school with accolades such as an honors listing and college credit through dual enrollment classes at the University of Montana.

She started high school at Big Sky because she was enrolled in the Health Science Academy, but a medical issue caused her to miss so much time that she wasn't going to be able to catch up.

So, with help from counselors and advisors, she enrolled at Willard. That was a life-changing decision.

"From there I just skyrocketed," she explains, grinning. "Yeah, coming here made me actually enjoy coming into school and learning and it helped me pursue what I want to for a career, which is psychology."

The atmosphere at Willard helped her achieve her goals, she said.

"I like the freedom, how lenient they are," she said. "And also how determined teachers are to get students to the point of graduating. Teachers will do anything for you. There's many resources people can use. People have gone through hard times looking for housing and stuff and the counselors help them get extra funds and housing or whatever. They provide so much. This school is better than any other schools that I've been to."

She said she has been keen on psychology for a long time.

"It really interests me, the way we process things," she said. "The way it develops. I just really want to help people. And there's a lot going on, especially right now. You know, going through what I've been through, which has been a lot, I feel like I can use that to help other people. Maybe even discover something, like a new study."

She's a self-described "health freak" who is also into sports like volleyball and basketball.

"I'm just so interested in anatomy and health stuff in general," she said.

She's working right now and has plans to possibly attend the University of Montana or maybe pursue a higher education elsewhere.

"I feel like there's a lot more responsibility coming in," she said of graduation. "A lot more that I have to figure out in order to pursue my life for sure."

Outside of school, her main hobby is playing musical instruments.

"I play the ukulele, piano, saxophone and the violin," she said. "Music has been my passion. It's gotten me through a lot of things. Throughout the years I've dove into music and found like the right music for each playlist."

She said Billie Eilish is her favorite artist right now.

"Billie Eilish is my freaking stone," she said.

She said her family is proud of her.

"My mom is screaming, crying," she said. "I want to thank my dad and my grandparents, just all of my family and all my friends for supporting me and dealing with my craziness and helping me to become the person that I am today."

Anneke Hilbert, who teaches history and psychology at Willard, said Stroh is a role model for other kids.

"She's an exceptional role model," she said. "Alora is a very hardworking, studious young woman and once described herself as Matilda and bringing herself up on her own. She has a lot of drive and a lot of perseverance and a great sense of humor. She's very loyal and supportive of her people close to her, her friends and her family and teachers, school staff."