For Ashley Overman, life has been about setting goals and overcoming challenges.

Born with cerebral palsy, Overman has had her share of struggles, especially while attending school.

The 2009 Logansport High School graduate decided she wanted to surprise her peers, and perhaps even herself, on the night of graduation. Instead of walking with her walker or using her wheel chair, Overman decided she wanted to walk across stage using crutches instead.

The idea of using her crutches actually began before high school, Overman said. She knew using crutches at high school graduation was something she wanted to do, since everyone walks across the stage during graduation.

“I started walking with crutches at the end of my sophomore year,” she explained. “As soon as I started using them, I decided that was how I wanted to walk at graduation.”

Overman said she had never used the crutches while at school, since there were too many other people around and she didn’t want to get knocked over. Most of her classmates had never seen her walk with crutches.

While the experience was exciting for Overman, she said it was a challenge.

“I hadn’t practiced as much as I should have,” she said. “I was nervous because of all the people around. It was a really hard thing, but I think I did a good job at it.”

Walking across the stage was something that took a lot of courage for the high school graduate.

Although determined to complete the walk, she was still afraid of what might happen.

“I had to walk down the aisle and walk across the stage and I was afraid I was going to fall,” she said. “There were a lot of people behind me and I really didn’t want to fall.”

In fact, Overman admitted that she had second thought about using the crutches.

In the end, however, “I wanted to surprise everyone and do something they didn’t think I would do.”

When starting high school, Overman dealt with numerous challenges.

“Well it was definitely not an easy thing to do,” she said. “When I first started going there, it wasn’t very handicap accessible. The only kids with disability were with special education and they had their own special wing.”

Overman said she had to tell those in charge what she needed, but wasn’t sure how to tell them.

“I never had to tell anyone what I needed,” she said. “It was a hard thing to do. I didn’t even know them and just started, but I knew I had to talk to someone.”

Learning how to adjust to a new school wasn’t the most difficult part though. She said going to school with new classmates had been challenging as well.

“I went to school with some of them, but not all them. It was hard for some of them, because they weren’t used to someone being handicapped without a disability. It became easier as I went along.”

In addition to her other accomplishments, Overman also managed to finish her high school education in December.

She didn’t plan it at first, but by the middle of her junior year, she had enough credits to finish early. In addition to taking a summer class, Overman was also required to pass all her finals in December to finish her schooling.

“I was nervous,” she recalled, “so much was riding on it.”

Pam Easley, Logansport High School special-needs coordinator, said she thought it was great Overman had the opportunity to begin her post-secondary education before she officially graduated.

She added each student has an individualized education plan for completing the required school work.

“Each student is different and the school makes accommodations,” Easley said. “We have other students who have a variety of disabilities and we learn with each one. We are happy when all students succeed and transition into the community.”

The goal is to help each student transition into a successful area they are interested in, said Easley.

Overman began taking college classes at Ivy Tech before graduation. She is now taking the summer off and will return to school in the fall.

She is studying early childhood education, which is a two-year program.

“I want to be a preschool teacher,” she said “I just decided at the beginning of my senior year.”

Overman also moved into her own apartment in November.

The adjustment was difficult at first, since she doesn’t like being by herself.

“My microwave became my best friend,” she laughed. “It’s been pretty good. It’s been a challenge and I enjoy having freedom, but not the bills. I knew I had to grow up.”

Overman said she doesn’t just have one person who inspired her over the years.

“There has been a lot of people who helped me through with what I need,” she said. “There’s been a lot of people who have helped coach me through. I am thankful for everyone who has helped me.”

• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com