Kevin Campbell had two choices: missing his senior year or continuing at KHS with bad temptations surrounding him. He chose the former, deciding that it was better for him.

“Being at Kirkwood was kind of hard with the temptation to smoke weed and party,” Kevin said. “It was more for the best of my recovery to switch to VISTA.”

VISTA is a school in the Kirkwood School District with the goal of developing potential of students who may not be attaining full success at their school. The school has students ranging from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The classes are smaller and the days are shorter.

Kevin sees a big difference between his new school and KHS. VISTA has less homework because students do most of the work inside the class on OdysseyWare, a computer software system. Kevin also attends morning sessions from 7:30-10:30 a.m. instead of a full school day. After school Kevin either goes home, works out or works at his part time job at Waterway in Chesterfield.

For Kevin, VISTA is not just a new school; it is also a support group. Kevin is in the sobriety group at VISTA. When he made the transition, Kevin lost much of his social life at KHS, but he is able to socialize with the other VISTA students who are sober. The transition was not all beneficial for him said Kevin. As he left KHS he left things he loved. He had to walk away from his senior year at KHS.

“It was tough, it was real tough, because I was on The Call, so that was a hard one. And not being able to be a part of the senior class and do everything they do at school,” Kevin said. “But I had to put all that aside in order to stay sober and do what I do.”

Kevin plans on graduating with the senior class from KHS he had to leave in October this past year. Kevin said switching schools was a good choice and that it was for the better.

Kevin struggled with school before he switched. His mother, Donna Campbell, said Kevin skipped many classes at KHS. And while she is extremely saddened he had to miss his senior year, she sees Kevin eventually being able to go to college and becoming the photojournalist he wants to be. She said she sees this happening even if it takes him longer on a route that does not include the normal four years.

“VISTA is wonderful,” Donna said. “It’s a gift to us that he’s going to be able to finish.”