Shawnee Smith plays Rhonda Altobello, a pregnant student whose gestation interferes with her education.

Ms Smith made her professional debut in a commercial for McDonalds. Her big break, however, occured when she landed a role opposite Andy Griffith in the NBC film "Crimes of Innocence." Her subsequent television credits include "All is Forgiven," in which she was a series regular, as well as appearances on "Cagney & Lacey," "It's Your Move," "Silver Spoons," and "The Young and the Restless." She has also appeared in the television film "Not My Kid," and received critical acclaim for her starring role in the ABC-TV presentation, "Easy Prey."