The Cupertino Courier

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Foundation honors outstanding students

By Erin Hussey

The Fremont Union High Schools Foundation each year honors six seniors who, through their indomitable spirit and positive attitude, have overcome great personal challenges to succeed in school and in life.

The students, who are chosen by their respective school principals and teachers, will be recognized on Nov. 7 at a special awards dinner. This is the 12th year the foundation has held the event.

"We want to honor the students who have achieved success despite difficulties and who model the spirit of resiliency," says Peggy Raun-Linde, a foundation board member and the principal at Fremont High School.

Each of the award winners has a story to tell about how they've persevered in the face of personal, physical or emotional obstacles.

Ashley Novosad, Fremont High School

Before Novosad entered the third grade, she had attended 17 elementary schools.

"I really don't even remember how I passed," says Novosad. "My mom had a mental disability and depressions, so she wasn't very stable."

At age 7, Novosad met her father and moved in with him in Sunnyvale. While better in the beginning, this new living situation wasn't the best fit, either. She then bounced around to a few different places and entered her freshman year at Fremont High.

"My first years in high school were bad; my grades were horrible," she says. "But then one day it just clicked and I said, 'OK I need to turn this around.' "

Within the next year, Novosad brought her grades up, found a stable job and became the first emancipated minor in the state of California for 2006.

Today Novosad rents a room at a family friend's home, works 30 hours per week, is a student body leader, a two-sport athlete and receives mostly A's. She is known on campus as one of the most caring, kind and resilient students people have ever met.

"I don't know how I do it," says Novosad. "It's like a 27-hour day everyday."

Novosad hopes to attend Santa Clara University next year and one day go into child law or child counseling.

"I feel like I can understand kids and help guide them," she says.

Stephen Mitchell, alternative program

When Mitchell entered the special education program at Fremont High School, he was very self-conscious, easily frustrated and lacked confidence.

Today he is considered a brother figure in the classroom, and enjoys suiting up to play football and working at Homestead High School's Ice Cream Shoppe.

"The other students really look up to Stephen," says Carmen Zarate, a special education classified staff member.

"If we are working with another student, he is the one who steps in and keeps things in line. He's become the class leader in room 5."

In addition to both playing and watching sports with his family and friends, one of Mitchell's favorite activities is the Best Buddies program. The club, which pairs a student from the general population with a special education student, arranges group events and lunches.

Mitchell is looking forward to entering the WINGS-Post Secondary Program where he will continue learning job training skills. He hopes to one day work as a cashier or in customer service at a restaurant.

"As an adult Stephen will prove to be a caring and compassionate citizen, community member and man of integrity," says Jan Terakawa, special education teacher at Fremont High.

Travis Kenyon, Homestead High School

While in utero, Kenyon suffered a stroke, causing paralysis to the left side of his body. But his physical disabilities have yet to stand in his way.

"Even with my left-side paralysis, I've done some great physical accomplishments," he says. "Last year my jump rope record was 18, and this year I came in and told my coach that I would do 50. He was like, '50? Did I hear you right?' I said yep." Kenyon met his goal.

Throughout his high school career, Kenyon has excelled in a number of areas, including P.E., English and choir.

"My sophomore year in choir I was so off-pitch, and now here I am tutoring others," he says.

Kenyon, who sings mostly bass, also enjoys writing his own songs complete with lyrics.

"Most songwriters start out writing the song and they come up with the title afterward. I start the opposite way," he says.

In addition to his musical passions, Kenyon is also very interested in science and maintains a 3.8 GPA.

According to his teachers, Kenyon arrives each day with a positive attitude and is someone who celebrates each person's individual, unique qualities.

Kenyon plans on attending junior college next year and hopes to pursue a career working with computers, or an area that will allow him to showcase his musical talents.

Eric Surprenant, Lynbrook High School

As a student in middle school, Surprenant struggled both in the classroom and on the athletic field. Now a senior, Surprenant is excelling in both arenas.

"I work really hard," says Surprenant, who runs cross country, plays soccer and is on the track team.

"When I get a workout, I make sure I do it correctly and make it count; the same in school. I'm never the one in the group who is off focus," he says.

With the help of his freshman biology teacher and his special education teacher, Surprenant, who has a learning disability, realized the way to succeed in the classroom was to communicate with his teachers.

"I think track also really helped me through high school," he says.

Surprenant has received a number of honors in each of his specific sports. He is the league champion in the 65- and 300-meter hurdles and the 4x400 relay.

In addition to his sports accomplishments, Surprenant also has a 3.79 GPA.

His peers, both in the classroom and on the athletic field, recognize Surprenant as a confident leader.

After he graduates in the summer, Surprenant plans on attending college. He has already received a number of recruitment letters for his running talents.

Asked if he has any advice for young athletes, Surprenant says they should never give up and always try their hardest. "Don't force yourself to do it, but play because you enjoy it."

Kenta Akaogi, Monta Vista High School

Akaogi can still remember the first time he heard a professional clarinetist on the radio.

"After I heard it, I just couldn't forget about it," he says.

Akaogi started playing the clarinet as a sixth-grade student at Kennedy Middle School. Since then, he's continued to develop his talents. For the past three years Akaogi has been a member of the All County Honor Band, has made All State Honor Band for two of those years and was most recently named the third best high school clarinetist in California.

"I like seeing myself progress," says Akaogi, who practices for about two hours every day. "But I don't really feel pressure. I just always want to play better and better."

Akaogi is also highly involved with the Monta Vista music program. Both his teachers and peers recognize him as a quiet, respectful, humble young man with a great head on his shoulders.

Next year Akaogi plans on attending college, where he will study the clarinet and music theory. He is currently working on his audition pieces.

Akaogi, who has a twin sister and two younger siblings, is also on the soccer team and enjoys playing board games.

Following college, he hopes to either play professionally or teach music.

Melissa Ko, Cupertino High School

To say Ko is busy would be an understatement. She is a National Merit semifinalist, the editor of the school's yearbook, an active member in school leadership and a dedicated advocate of the American Cancer Society.

She also is responsible for the everyday running of her household.

"I constantly tell people that even though taking care of my family is the hardest thing I've ever done, it's the most important thing that I've ever done," says Ko.

Ko was 11 years old when her mother died of breast cancer. She had promised her mom that she would care for her older sister, who is epileptic.

"After my mom died, I was kind of a mess," she says. "But you have to pull yourself up and try to start over because even though it's hard, there are also a lot of great things happening and that will happen."

About a year ago, Ko's father suffered a stroke. While he is doing better, he has not fully recovered. Today, Ko is the only one in the family who can drive.

But her spirit has yet to falter. Throughout the campus she is recognized as someone who shows tremendous maturity, commitment and enthusiasm.

Ko plans on studying biology in college.

"I pride myself in the fact that despite everything, I feel like I still have hope in myself and have faith that I will always get through it," she says.

For more information on the 12th annual Fremont Union High Schools Foundation Award Dinner, visit the www.fuhsfoundation.org website or 408.773.1218.