Class of 2011
Standing on giants - Cesar Vargas' journey to graduation
by (GRPScommunications)
Submitted 09-20-2011 under NONPROFITS
“If I have seen further, it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants.” –Sir Isaac Newton Cesar Vargas has come a long way. Twice. First, he came to the U.S. from Mexico when he was six years old. He enrolled in school, and by...
Going places - Thanh Vo's journey to graduation
by (GRPScommunications)
Submitted 08-29-2011 under NONPROFITS
“I want to travel around the world, that’s my dream. Thanh Vo yearns to visit distant lands, explore far-away cultures, experience different cuisines and customs. He wants to live life to the fullest so he has no regrets...
Shining bright - Kaniquia Williams' journey to graduation
by (GRPScommunications)
Submitted 08-29-2011 under NONPROFITS
“Don’t mess up your freshman year! It will affect you so bad your senior year!” Kaniquia Williams is a vision in orange and black, her Ottawa Hills softball uniform. Or her Ottawa Hills marching band uniform. Whatever...
Singing strong - Breanna Toliver-Reed's journey to graduation
by (GRPScommunications)
Submitted 08-29-2011 under NONPROFITS
“My favorite things are choir and musical theater.” Breanna Toliver-Reed’s email address includes “MzBreezz,” an apt description of her breezy style, her artistic flair, and her appealing confidence—...
Engineering a career - Fernando Pichardo's journey to graduation
by (GRPScommunications)
Submitted 08-26-2011 under NONPROFITS
“My goal is to graduate from the University of Michigan.” Fernando Pichardo never took his eye off the ball during high school. At least, not very often. A strong tennis player in the very competitive O-K White Conference, Fernando...
Striving for success - Yarisbel Segura's journey to graduation
by (GRPScommunications)
Submitted 08-24-2011 under NONPROFITS
“I’m completely bilingual already. Now I’m working on being trilingual.” Yarisbel “Jadee” Segura makes everything look easy. She’s a track star, softball contender and volleyball standout. She speaks perfect...
Living life anew - Phuong Nguyen's journey to graduation
by (GRPScommunications)
Submitted 08-24-2011 under NONPROFITS
“I hope to make the world a better place.” Phuong Nguyen came to the United States from Vietnam with her family when she was 15. When she started high school at Ottawa Hills, she didn’t know anyone, she didn’t know what was...
Playing for keeps - Eli Rodas' journey to graduation
by (GRPScommunications)
Submitted 08-23-2011 under NONPROFITS
“I love Creston. It’s a great school.” Eli Rodas learned how much he loved his school when he was several states away. After attending Central High his first three years of high school, a family move put Eli in Georgia for the...
Putting Education First - Nebiat Mengsteab's Journey to Graduation
by (GRPScommunications)
Submitted 08-18-2011 under NONPROFITS
“In order to do what I wanted to do, I had to do what I needed to do first.” Nebiat Mengsteab was the first person in her family born in the United States… just one year after her parents and three older brothers immigrated from...
Playing Both Ways - Danzell Maze's Journey to Graduation
by (GRPScommunications)
Submitted 08-16-2011 under NONPROFITS
“Take every opportunity that’s presented to you.” Danzell Maze is a quiet but powerful force. Talk to him, and he will modestly tell you that he’s planning to go to Ferris State University on a scholarship. Google him, and...