First of three partsNia Lewis, a senior at Statesboro High School, has a keen sense of who she is and where she’s going after she graduates this month.Hoping to avoid the fate of more than a third of incoming freshmen, who drop out in their first year of college, Lewis has been encouraged by her mother, high school counselors, teachers and others to “stay the course.” Her desire is to become a speech pathologist. She has several scholarship offers but feels certain she will Howard University in Washington, D.C.During high school, Lewis has been actively involved in academics and sports, and is currently co-captain of the varsity cheerleading squad.