‘I can overcome anything.' Grads faced tragedy, illness.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Lexington’s class of 2020 will be graduating throughout this week, in unprecedented ceremonies shaped by the global pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic was just one challenge some high school graduates in Lexington faced: One graduate in Fayette County Public Schools overcame the shooting death of her brother, another lived alone as her brother battled a serious illness and yet another graduated with honors despite deficits from a bout of childhood cancer.

Here are the stories of how those overcame those challenges to earn their diplomas.

Lexington’s Class of 2020 will be graduating throughout this week, in unprecedented ceremonies shaped by the global pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic was just one challenge some high school graduates in Lexington faced: One graduate in Fayette County Public Schools overcame the shooting death of her brother, another lived alone as her brother battled a serious illness and yet another graduated with honors despite deficits from a bout of childhood cancer.

Here are the stories of how those overcame those challenges to earn their diplomas.

“She told me I can be angry, or mad or sad, ... but I can’t stay there for too long, because life moves on,” she said.

Brown said she finished her studies “instead of giving up.”

Brown said she credits her teachers at Lafayette for helping her through the time after her brother’s death, giving her a separate, quiet room to study in at school. Teachers checked on her frequently, brought her water, and consoled her.

She said at first when she wrote down her thoughts, as if she were talking to her brother, she asked him why he left her.

“As time went by, I just became grateful that I was able to share many memories and many moments with him,” Brown said.

Brown...