Kiwanis Club recognizes seniors who turn their lives around

By Judy Peterson
Published May 31, 2010 in the Mercury News.com
http://www.mercurynews.com/los-gatos/ci_15199857?nclick_check=1

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - High school isn't easy for a student with kidney disease, or for students who have been homeless, or for those who have overcome drug and alcohol addiction.

But they managed to succeed, and on May 20 those students and others like them were recognized by the Los Gatos Kiwanis Club with Turnaround Scholarships.

The 12 scholarships are $1,000 each, bringing the club's total donation to $100,000 since it started awarding the scholarships in 1999 to Los Gatos, Saratoga and NOVA graduating seniors.

"It's so special to recognize kids for stepping up in their academic life," said Kiwanis member Bob Jones. "The students are selected because they have made a major turnaround in their lives."

Hannah Brown

Saratoga senior Hannah Brown exemplifies the turnaround concept. At the beginning of her freshman year, Hannah was diagnosed with cystinuzia, a genetic kidney disease that produces painful kidney stones.

"It's a super-rare condition," Hannah said. "My freshman and sophomore years, I was in and out of the hospital all the time, so I missed a lot of school. I'd always be behind."

Hannah said she was either sick and tired or worried about being sick and tired.

"Throughout it all Hannah has participated in every drama production at Saratoga High School," student adviser Christy Cali said. "She's a great actress."

Hannah will use her scholarship to help pay her tuition at Emerson College in Advertisement Boston. She would like to become a playwright.

Dale Adams

A young woman who finished her junior year at Los Gatos High School with a 1.5 grade point average is also a turnaround scholar. In the first semester of her senior year, however, Dale Adams achieved a 3.2 GPA.

"Between junior and senior year, Dale's family was homeless," student adviser Amy Gutierrez said. "Then they found a home in Morgan Hill, so she commuted. Dale has been so resilient and so positive. Every day she comes to school with a smile."

But as she received her scholarship, Dale was tearful. "I'd like to thank the club for making it possible for me to go to college," she said. Dale will attend Gavilan College.

Geo Mulligan

Another community college- bound student is Geo Mulligan, whose goal in his early high school days was to sleep. When he filled out a sheet asking him what tools he needed to achieve his goal, Geo wrote "pillows."

Case manager Heather Cisowski says that's all changed.

"This year, instead of sleeping, his goal was to take classes outside of mine," Cisowski said. Geo took five special education classes from Cisowski, who said he always hid behind a hoodie. "For Geo to even stand here and endure this is a miracle," Cisowski said.

This year, Geo emerged as a library assistant, his GPA is above 3.0 and he's lost more than 100 pounds. Giving Cisowski a "thumbs up," Geo said, "She's definitely a driving force in my life."

Kayla Epsman

A Saratoga senior who was on the girls golf team, tutors math and works at a horse stable also received a scholarship. Kayla Epsman will attend the University of Colorado at Boulder.

"Kayla's grown up in a home where the rules were always fluid," student adviser Francis Saiki said. "She has every right to use her unstable home life to exhibit bad behavior."

Saiki said Kayla hit her stride in her junior year when her parents separated. She now lives with her father and younger brother. "She's truly a diamond in the rough," Saiki said. "Her teachers see her as a valuable contributor."

Haley Erickson

As a sophomore, Los Gatos High School senior Haley Erickson had a kidney transplant. "Before the transplant Haley was drinking 7.5 liters of water a day [the equivalent of 15 regular-sized plastic bottles of water] and taking 45 pills," Gutierrez said.

Despite her once fragile health, Gutierrez said, "She's very capable and is a straight-A student with a 4.5 GPA." Haley will attend Harvey Mudd College in Claremont.

Eric Reichwein

Another Los Gatos senior, Eric Reichwein, was described by student adviser Kassandra Cochran as a mellow skateboarder who was literally "skating along through life."

Then, Eric discovered astronomy. "He's an example of a student who's found his calling and he's just flown with it all on his own," Cochran said.

Eric has gone from a B and C student to a straight-A student, taking courses like advanced placement physics, plus trigonometry, chemistry and calculus. "With what he's learned he's built a skateboard park in his back yard," Cochran said.

Eric will attend USC and plans to major in either physics or engineering.

Lauren MacBeth

When the word "turnaround" is applied to Los Gatos senior Lauren MacBeth, it is being used in a most meaningful manner: Lauren achieved the most dramatic GPA change of any other student in the school-going from a 1.0 in her freshman year to a 3.2 this year.

"This is Lauren who is smart, poised and charming and who can achieve anything she wants," student adviser Tamara Parks said as she introduced her student to the members of the Kiwanis Club.

It wasn't that long ago, though, that Lauren fought against everything. "She fought against her parents and peers, she fought against coming to school," Parks said. Lauren's parents sent her away to school for a while, where Parks said she had an epiphany, asking, "Why am I doing this?"

Returning to Los Gatos, Lauren got three jobs and started saving money for college. She'll attend community college and plans to study business.

Brianna Lefevre

Brianna Lefevre was in foster care before coming to Saratoga High School this year. "She came into our school wanting to put her best foot forward," student adviser Dona Feizzadeh said. "You really do show me that a student can persevere in the face of adversity."

Brianna is graduating with a 3.2 GPA and will study video game design at the Academy of Arts in San Francisco.

Geno Park

Geno Park will also be going to the Academy of Arts. "He's an incredible artist," Feizzadeh said. "He is truly a resilient and great young man."

High praise for a teen who fell in with the wrong crowd at Saratoga High School.

"He came from a private school to Saratoga as a sophomore and had issues with the law," Feizzadeh said. "But junior year he decided to take a break and focus on art and himself."

As a result, operation "OG" was launched. That stands for Operation Graduation and Operation Geno, and it obviously was a success.

Juan Ruiz

A young man who Parks says has "impeccable manners and a generous spirit" also received a turnaround scholarship. Juan Ruiz also has cerebral palsy.

As a freshman, Juan had an easy academic schedule. But inspired by his sister, who was the first member of his family to attend college, Juan decided he wanted a career and began taking computer-aided design classes.

"I'm really grateful," Juan said. "I'd like to thank [Los Gatos High School]. All the accomplishments I've done over the past four years wouldn't be possible without their help."

Juan will attend San Jose Sate and plans to major in industrial technology.

Jeffrey Wang

NOVA student Jeffrey Wang's guidance counselor joked about his hair always being in his face. "I did know something great was behind that hair," Katie Bennett said. "This year he's been enthusiastic. When he puts his mind to something he remains committed."

Wang recounted how he became delinquent and almost had to go to court for truancy. But he gave up alcohol and drugs, turned his life around and now says, "This has been my most enjoyable year in school."

Wang is headed for West Valley College, where he will major in mental or physical health so that he can become a male nurse or physical therapist.

Samantha Dianda

NOVA student Samantha Dianda also overcame addiction before her life took a turn for the better. "That's a hard thing to do at such a young age," Bennett said. "Sammy is what I consider to be an 'old soul.' School's not just about grades, but the whole person. Sammy goes out of her way to make sure people are happy."

Samantha, who works at a local restaurant, had to make up 60 credits this year so that she could graduate on time. She plans to attend community college and wants to become a psychologist or drug addiction therapist.