"I've never seen a student work as hard, follow through, ask for help" as much as Yoo did, said academic advisor Nina Whitcanack. "That quality of resilience, of determination, is something that I saw grow in her over the past few years."

Yoo was among the 10 high school seniors in the Los Gatos­Saratoga Union High School District who were recently awarded scholarships from the Los Gatos Kiwanis Club for turning around their academic careers.

The Turnaround Scholarships program "is one of the most special programs that we have for students," said Los Gatos High Principal Trudy McCulloch at the May 22 awards luncheon. "The reason is, students are recognized who might not otherwise be recognized."

McCulloch, a member of the Kiwanis, initiated the scholarship in Los Gatos when she became principal in 1998.

"We are so proud of you because you didn't let things get you down; you took charge of your life and overcame it," McCulloch told the scholarship recipients.

"This is the recognition of all your hard work and dedication throughout the years," said Jamie Bielski, a recipient of the award last year. "Always be happy and never be satisfied," she urged.

School officials and Los Gatos town leaders watched as Kiwanis members gave $1,000 checks to Saratoga High School students Yoo, McCord Blackwell and Josh Smith; Nova students Rex Resa and Jason Fielding; and Los Gatos High students Ashley Teeple, Adam Breslin, Chris Clock, Chris Pate and Claire Schweighofer.

Each was introduced by a guidance counselor or teacher who had witnessed the student's change through the years. For Saratoga High students, the counselors were Whitcanack and Christy Cali. The students, in turn, thanked the Kiwanis, scholarship primary sponsor Leo Shortino, school administrators and their parents and loved ones.

The start of McCord Blackwell's academic career at Saratoga High was "a little shaky," Cali said. "I was intrigued by his charm, his fun-loving attitude, his sense of humor and his intention to do better." But those personality traits weren't enough to make up for his frequent absences and failing grades.

According to Cali, those around Blackwell finally encouraged him to change his ways. "He is now up to the potential those around him knew he had," Cali said. The water polo player's grades are all As and Bs, and he excels in the subjects of math, astronomy and economics.

Josh Smith is another athlete whose grades were dismal. He transferred to Saratoga High as a sophomore with "four Fs hanging over his head," Whitcanack said, but "by the end of the year, I saw a lot more to Josh than those four Fs."

Smith joined the track and cross country team and involved himself in the school's challenge day program. Whitcanack said she saw in him a "quiet determination," "warmth and sincerity," and "someone who will follow through in his commitments."

The senior will attend De Anza College next year and will pay for his own education. "What I think makes a good student isn't good grades, although that's important," Smith said. "It's just what you get out of high school. What I got out of high school is perseverance and responsibility."

Two students enrolled in Nova, the district's alternative education program, received awards.

Rex Resa is currently at a rehabilitation facility in Samoa. According to Nova teacher Bruce Darling, Resa was a substance abuser for at least five years and has been clean and sober for more than six months.

"We are incredibly proud of his progress. He is an intellectual genius," Darling said. In his 20 years in alternative education, Darling said he had never seen a more serious case of substance abuse.

Resa, who will graduate in June, started at Nova two years ago. Darling read portions of essays that he wrote while at Nova and emails that he sent from Samoa about his rehabilitation process. The teenager's writing is extraordinary, Darling said, and he hopes to see Resa's published works one day.

Jason Fielding had told Los Gatos High academic advisor Teri Zappacosta that he thought school was "boring" and "trying" his freshman year, finishing up with a 1.5 GPA. When she presented Nova to him as an option, "he had no interest in Nova. He had no interest in any school. Basically, he was ready to quit," Zappacosta said.

After some consideration, Fielding decided to try Nova and will graduate with a 4.0 GPA. Besides academically, Darling said, Fielding has grown in other ways—as an athlete, being named an all-league player for beach volleyball; as a public speaker, giving an oral presentation for the first time; and as a participant in class.

Fielding thanked Darling and Nova instructor Gary Cramton "for being more than a teacher—also a friend."

The Los Gatos Kiwanis was founded in 1924 and has approximately 50 members. According to event moderator Leigh Weimers, more than $75,000 will be spent this year in all of Santa Clara Valley for Kiwanis Turnaround Scholarships—$50,000 of which came from the Leo Shortino Family Trust.