Four years after a devastating fire at her then Westmoreland home killed her twin brothers and left her with life-threatening burns, 16-year-old Adrianna Laing was among the proud graduating class at the Maggotty High School, in St Elizabeth, yesterday.

Laing, whose remarkable survival and recovery journey, which included multiple overseas trips for treatment, captured national attention, was among the 128 students who graduated. She successfully completed the Human Ecology programme, the area in which she specialised.

Speaking with The Gleaner, Laing, who now resides in St Elizabeth, said that despite her challenges, she feels inspired and is encouraging people who sometimes feel overwhelmed by challenges to seek to stay positive and seek help. “I would tell them [that] despite what they have gone through, they should always keep their head up. Don't listen to anyone (negative people) because that will literally bring them down. If they feel overwhelmed, they can always get a book and write about what or how they are feeling and read a Bible,” said Laing.