May 20, 2026 — At Harrison High School, two seniors have reached the graduation stage after a long, unlikely journey.
Harris and Colton Akins were both adopted from China at a young age and came to Cobb County. Both having to learn English for the first time, the transition was challenging, but they navigated it bravely.
Harris was also born with Holt-Oram syndrome and finger anomalies, while his brother, Colton, was born without a left hand and with a heart condition that required surgery last year.
"Other students do things different than me, but I can still do better than what they can do," said Colton on how he's overcome adversity and still succeeded.
While most students never thought twice about carrying a backpack or taking notes, those are just a few of the things that Harris and Colton had to adapt to in order to succeed.
As the two brothers prepare to become Cobb Schools graduates, they reflect on the journey it took to get here.”
Both understand that having each other made the path far less challenging because they could relate to one another and support each other.
"We've overcome a bunch of obstacles in our life, and it's just it's very cool that we're in America now and we're able to graduate and have the good life that we do have," said Harris.
Colton plans to attend a one-year program after graduation and then enter the workforce, while Harris will attend the University of Georgia.
