On May 16, when Amanda DeLeon Guimaraes walks across the stage at Fitchburg State University to receive her degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, she won’t just be thinking about her GPA or her Pre-Law concentration. She will be thinking about the mechanical, miraculous rhythm of her feet hitting the floor.
For most graduates, the walk across the commencement stage is a symbolic transition. For DeLeon Guimaraes, of Sterling, it is a hard-won victory over a body that, only two years ago, forgot how to move. It is a tribute to a cousin lost too soon, a testament to a mentor who saw her potential when she felt like a “shell”, and a celebration of a university that became the unexpected soil where her dreams finally took root.
DeLeon Guimaraes’ journey didn’t start at Fitchburg State. Since the age of eight, her eyes were fixed on a specific university. The plan wasn't just a childhood whim; it was a sacred pact made with her cousin, Mateus Santos.
"I was always told I was a bit of a chatterbox and had strong opinions," said DeLeon Guimaraes. "My cousin told me I should be a lawyer. He was obsessed with the show Suits and told me I should be just like Harvey Specter."
In 2016, tragedy struck. Santos passed away from an accidental overdose caused by fentanyl-laced substances. At just 12 years old, DeLeon Guimaraes' grief transformed into a professional calling. She didn't want to be a business lawyer anymore; she wanted to be the one providing justice for families who, like hers, felt the devastating impact of the drug crisis.
By 18, DeLeon Guimaraes was the definition of being ahead of the curve. Through the Gateway to College program at a local community college, she graduated high school with her associate degree already in hand. She had a scholarship to Suffolk and a plan to finish her bachelor's in two years. She was unstoppable.
Then came October 2022.
"One second I was in my sister’s car... holding my cat on my lap," said DeLeon Guimaraes. "The next, I was waking up in an ambulance."
That grand mal seizure was the beginning of a terrifying descent.
DeLeon Guimaraes suddenly couldn't find her words after the seizure. Every time she tried to speak, the sounds came out wrong. The seizures continued, evolving into "absent seizures" that left her staring blankly into space. Eventually, she lost feeling in her left leg.
"I went from graduating with a 3.5 GPA to learning how to walk again," said DeLeon Guimaraes. "I was 18, I had just got my driver’s license, and suddenly I was in a wheelchair. My identity was school, and when that got taken away, I didn't know who I was."
Recovery was a grueling, year-long marathon of physical therapy. DeLeon Guimaraes remembers the agony of standing for just 15 minutes, her body refusing to obey her mind’s commands.
"I used to think, 'How do babies even do this?'” said DeLeon Guimaraes. "But after you learn how to walk again, tackling other things feels a lot less scary."
When she was finally cleared to drive, she faced another setback: losing her job. Desperate to return to school but reeling from the cost and distance of her original college plans, a friend suggested Fitchburg State. It was a deviation from the 8-year-old’s plan, but it was exactly what the 20-year-old needed.
On orientation day at Fitchburg State, nervous and feeling small, DeLeon Guimaraes met the Department Chair and Professor of the Economics, History and Political Science Department Dr. Paul Weizer.
"I was intimidated," said DeLeon Guimaraes. "I told him I was apprehensive about a state school. He told me that it didn’t matter where you come from; it’s what you make of the experience. He told me he’d support me in any way."
It wasn't just orientation talk. When DeLeon Guimaraes struggled with her first grades—even getting a poor mark in one of Dr. Weizer’s own classes—the support system didn't buckle. Dr. Weizer and the faculty at Fitchburg State provided the accessibility and empathy she needed to navigate her "invisible" hurdles, like the debilitating migraines that followed her seizures.
"Dr. Weizer is a huge part of my success," said DeLeon Guimaraes. "I used to be scared to ask for help. I’m glad that mentality died when I met him."
I've very much enjoyed seeing her bring all of these talents to the surface over the years. She is one of the best students our program has ever produced. I will miss having her in class, but I know that she will be a great success in law school and in the profession.
If Fitchburg State was the place where DeLeon Guimaraes recovered her confidence, Moot Court was where she reclaimed her soul.
Moot Court—which simulates an appellate court proceeding before a panel of judges—is notoriously high-pressure. For someone who had spent months unable to form coherent sentences after seizures, standing before judges was the ultimate test.
"Moot Court led me back to a piece of me," said DeLeon Guimaraes. "I learned that I’m not the same person I was before my seizure, and that’s OK. Who I am now is better."
The results were historic. Alongside her partner Christiane Rodrigues, DeLeon Guimaraes didn't just compete; she dominated. They became the first team from Fitchburg State to win the American Collegiate Moot Court Association Regional competition in 24 years and advanced to the Nationals. DeLeon Guimaraes herself was honored with an Orator Award for her speaking ability—a recognition that felt like the ultimate victory over the days she sat silent in a hospital bed.
"The recognition means so much more than anyone will ever understand," said DeLeon Guimaraes. "It’s an achievement for the Amanda who couldn't talk after a seizure."
The accolades didn't stop there. DeLeon Guimaraes was a finalist for the prestigious Antonucci Award, received the Outstanding Pre-Law Student award, and even received formal declarations from the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Senate recognizing her success.
Weizer said that DeLeon Guimareas has grown into a strong, confident student who offers keen insights and an interesting perspective in every class.
He said that her intelligence and natural curiosity were key ingredients in her Moot Court success.
“But, most of all, she is a very hard worker and a great team player,” said Weizer. “All of these factors add up to championship performance.”
Weizer knows that DeLeon Guimareas has a bright future ahead.
“I've very much enjoyed seeing her bring all of these talents to the surface over the years,” said Weizer. “She is one of the best students our program has ever produced. I will miss having her in class, but I know that she will be a great success in law school and in the profession.”
As May 16 approaches, DeLeon Guimaraes is now two years seizure-free. She still battles migraines and a terrible sense of balance, but her perspective has shifted entirely.
"I used to have unhealthy tendencies to deal with stress," said DeLeon Guimaraes. "I think God worked in a mysterious way. Had this not happened, I never would have slowed down. I’ve learned that you can't control what happens, but you can control how you react."
Her future is once again bright, though she’s taking it at her own pace. She plans to study for the LSATs and eventually pursue her dream of law school, bringing her journey full circle.
When she walks across that commencement stage, she won't be alone.
"I plan to have my favorite picture of my cousin with me," said DeLeon Guimaraes. "I really wish he was here to see this. I hope he’s proud."
For the faculty, students, and the community of Fitchburg State, DeLeon Guimaraes is more than just a success story. She is a reminder that being ahead of the curve isn't nearly as important as having the courage to get back on it.