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CHARLOTTE – Sherida Alexander, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools senior determined to graduate, defied the odds even as she was going blind. Alexander received her high school diploma Monday during summer commencement ceremonies.

As a freshman, doctors diagnosed her with a degenerative eye disorder that eventually required a double cornea transplant.

“Back in 2007, I had cornea transplants because I had an eye disease called keratoconus,” Alexander said. “It was a struggle in school because I had to keep straining my eyes over and over again.”

Her academics took a blow, and she wasn’t able to graduate with her classmates in June.

But after four years of high scold and one summer computer class, Alexander walked across the stage to receive her diploma.

Her mother said it was a tough road for the Hawthorne High School graduate.

“She went to school from 6:00 in the morning until 6:00 at night, and I was right there with her,” Sheila Alexander said.

The teen went to school early and stayed late to catch up on her school work, even when her body started rejecting one of her new corneas.

Alexander has lost all sight in her right eye and could have to undergo more surgery. But she said that won’t stop her from accomplishing her goals.

She starts classes at Central Piedmont Community College in a few weeks. She says she plans to become a cosmetologist.

In all, 390 students from CMS graduated Monday.