Photograph by Skye Dunlap
Whiz Kid: Willow Glen High School graduating senior Kennette Love speaks at the Kiwanis Willow Glen Sunrisers fifth annual Turnaround Scholarship Luncheon on May 10.
Scholars honored by Kiwanis
Graduating seniors get scholarships for making improvements in their grades
By Michele Leung
When the band strikes up "Pomp and Circumstance" this spring, 21 graduating seniors from the San Jose Unified School District will have special reason to march with pride.
These students aren't graduating with four solid years of academic success behind them. In fact, many of them didn't care about polynomials or literature their first two or three years. However, these seniors were honored at the Kiwanis Willow Glen Sunrisers fifth annual Turnaround Scholarship Luncheon on May 10 for their educational about-face.
Jim Crownover, Kiwanis member and co-chairperson of the scholarship program, said that the average lowest GPA for the students was 1.55. At the other end of the spectrum, the students raised their grades to an average of 3.12.
"They've changed their attitudes about school," said Kiwanis president Gloria Burns. "They see a future. We want to recognize students who work hard and are responsible."
Six schools from the district were represented, among them Willow Glen, Broadway and Lincoln high schools. Kennette Love and Isabel Sandoval were recognized from Willow Glen; Jessica Abbot, Mabel Alonzo, Nadia Martinez, Jessica Rodriquez, Katya Salquero, Elizabeth Valdez and Andrea Wiley from Broadway; and Tiffany Diaz, Andria Jaramillo, Monica Lorenzo and Angel Ortez from Lincoln. All received a scholarship for $1,000. In addition, Evan Lassiter, a 1998 Willow Glen graduate and currently a student at West Valley College, received a $1,500 renewal scholarship.
Teachers and counselors at each high school nominated the recipients, and the scholarship committee made the final selections for the awards. The students can apply the scholarships to any college or technical school.
Students shared their stories about how their attitudes toward their education changed, with apathy as a common theme. Kennette Love from Willow Glen recalls her early years. "Freshman and sophomore years I was rough around the edges. I went to class but I was lazy and I didn't want to try. Sophomore year, I was tired of not passing with my grades. I got D's and F's, but I knew I can do better."
"I'm happy and honored," said Andria Jamarillo of Lincoln. "Let me explain why today is such a happy day for me. Freshman year, I had no goals. I was without direction or motivation. I entered my own path of destruction." Jamarillo used to run away from home frequently and play hooky, but no more.
Other students attributed their previous lack of success to other priorities they had. Some of them are the primary caretaker of their family or had to cope with issues such as teenage pregnancy, gangs and homelessness. Isabel Sandoval of Willow Glen was her mother's aide before she died of cancer. She now takes care of her younger brother as well as an older sister who suffers from cerebral palsy. She's proud to have pulled her GPA from 0.1 to 3.7.
Jessica Abbott of Broadway had joined a gang, was pregnant at 15 and had a miscarriage. She improved from a 1.0 to a 4.0 and was a member of last year's award-winning robotics team.
Mabel Alonzo, a leader of her Key Club at Broadway, put it simply. "I want to continue my education for my son," she said.
Many students struggled with tears when sharing their lives, but their stories wouldn't be complete without the possibilities they see in their future. Future teachers, counselors and journalists with advanced degrees in psychology and education abounded at the Kiwanis luncheon. "I realize my goal is to honor my mother's wish to succeed," said Sandoval. "I know what I want to do and what I want to be. I am high. I want to be an elementary school teacher."
"I want to got to San Jose City College, then I want to transfer to Tuskegee University. That's my dream," said Love.
"I look forward to starting art school. I want to get my magazine out," says Wiley.
The pride of the parents who had to be patient with their sons and daughters was evident. "We were thinking that Andrea was not going to graduate," said Wiley's mother, Monica Coulter. Not only did Wiley rise from a 1.8 to a 3.9, she also graduated early from Broadway.
All of the recipients had an opportunity to thank their nominating teachers or counselors for their guidance, but the latter also learned just as much from their students. "When Kennette and I worked together, she said there were little things that I do or say that influence her," said Demerris Brooks, the Willow Glen assistant principal who nominated Love. "I know that I have the power to influence, but I didn't know how many little things she had internalized."
With six more weeks of school, graduation and the summer are the only items left on the seniors' to-do lists. Wiley is looking forward to taking a senior trip. Brooks and Love plan on keeping in touch during the summer and beyond. Sandoval wants to visit Mexico soon to look at some of the universities for a potential year of studying abroad.
When the last scholarship was handed out, all the students congregated to take pictures. Parents and friends vied for the recipients' attention as the seniors posed for several shots. As Sandoval made her way out of the crowd, armed with a plaque and a balloon, she couldn't stop smiling. "I really feel special," she said of her recognition.
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
