Student of the Month - Overcoming Adversity

Posted by Jeffrey Brennan

November Student of the Month - Overcoming Adversity

Each month during the school year, the Rotary Club of Mill Creek recognizes students from our local high schools. These students are chosen by each school based on the theme for that month. For November, our theme is "Overcoming Adversity." Read about the following students and I believe you will agree that the schools made wonderful selections!

Connor Konen – Jackson High School

Connor has a stutter that has affected his speech his entire life. It negatively impacted his self-confidence and his perception of how others viewed him. But Connor did not let that stop him. He realized he could sing without stuttering.

Connor joined choir at Jackson High School during his freshman year, and he is now in his fourth year earning all-state honors and competing at state for solo and ensemble. Connor has inspired many of his peers and teachers through his willingness to persist, his courage, and his no-excuses approach to overcoming adversity.

Connor plans to finish his Associate’s degree at Edmonds Community College soon and transfer to a school where he can major in vocal music. He would like to pursue a singing career in the art of jazz and classical music. Congratulations Connor!

Noelle Phillips - Archbishop Murphy

Noelle is a disciplined and determined young lady, even though learning was made difficult because Noelle has dyslexia. But, this did not stop her from taking Advanced Placement classes like US History, Government Politics and Spanish IV.

Noelle is a young lady who wants to pursue a degree in Speech and Language Pathology because of her experiences with her sister. Noelle wrote in her senior profile, that her sister “…was born with cerebral palsy which quickly exposed me to a variety of health care services and an entire community of people who were disabled. I found that speech pathology intrigued me the most. For years I would sit in on her sessions. This allowed me to also learn ASL sign language and better understand different disabilities. My interest grew when I attended a summer camp for kids with disabilities and their siblings called Camp Prov. I found I easily interacted with the disabled children and knew I too wanted to be a volunteer there when old enough. I now volunteer there every summer. I am particularly interested in science, health, working with people and making a difference in their lives. ….”

And did we mention that Noelle has maintained a 3.51 GPA, even given that she volunteered at Providence Hospital’s “Camp Prov”, worked a part-time job and traveled with a school group to Guatemala helping at a school! Congratulations Noelle!

Zoe Amdal – Glacier Peak

Zoe grew up in an unstable home. Her mom is a drug addict and her step father an alcoholic. When Zoe was 12, her step dad abandoned the family. At 15, Zoe’s mom left one day and didn’t come back. Zoe waited at home for two weeks before running away to her grandparents’ house. The following year her grandmother passed away and she moved in with her uncle. In 3rd grade Zoe was diagnosed with a learning disability.

Through all of these obstacles Zoe has persisted. She has grown into a kind, confident young woman, and clearly demonstrates herself to be a loyal friend and able student. Zoe’s future plans are to attend Michigan State University and study to become a veterinarian. Congratulations Zoe!