Amanda Fox walked across the Sharpsville High School auditorium stage Wednesday night to receive her diploma.

At first glance, the 18-year-old appeared to be no different than the hundreds of other Mercer County seniors taking the same proverbial steps this year, or the thousands who have done the same for generations.

And most who know her would say she probably isn't any different, except in one small way: There was a time more than five years ago when Amanda's family and friends didn't know if she would be alive to accept any kind of diploma.

At the tender age of 12, Amanda's right ankle area came under attack of cancer, causing her to have her leg amputated just below the knee. That would have stopped many kids. Not Amanda.