May 2019 | Vol. 19 Iss. 05
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THE CHALLENGE OF EXCELLENCE
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By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
T
he West Jordan Exchange Club awarded the A.C.E. (Accepting the Challenge of Excellence) Award and a $500 scholarship to four inspiring high school students who have overcome difficult circumstances to make dramatic changes in their attitudes and academic performances throughout high school. “This special recognition serves as a powerful example to all students that hard work and perseverance are rewarded,” said club president Gwen Knight. “It recognizes those students who are often overlooked for their accomplishments.”
“For a young person to be able to have the maturity to look at their mistakes and some of their choices and to learn from them instead of being enabled by them—I’m really proud of him,” said Principal Renee Edwards. “He’s not given up, and he’s worked hard this year and is on track to graduate.” Goodrich’s father, Galen Goodrich, said receiving the award has been a boost to his son’s commitment to graduate. “Events like this are incredible for motivation and self-esteem of the students,” he said. “It just is huge and speaks volumes for the efforts of the students. I’m just really proud of my son for getting back on track and going the extra mile so Sam Goodrich, Itineris Early College High School “The event in my life that I am the most proud of was he can graduate and go on in life.” when I saved myself from dropping out of high school,” said Ryan Zwemke, Valley High School Sam Goodrich, a senior at Itineris Early College High School. The $500 scholarship from the Exchange Club has had a positive impact on Ryan Zwemke, who attends Valley High School. “It’s going to motivate me a lot more to go to [college],” he said. “I was still on the fence and not 100 percent sure, but now I’m fully 100 percent committed, and I’m wanting to go to [college] now just because I have more of a chance.” Jacinto Peterson was Zwemke’s school administrator during his middle school years and is now an assistant principal at Valley High School. “I’ve known him for seven years, and in that time, I’ve never seen him without a smile on his face,” Peterson said, acknowledging that Zwemke has had some struggles. “Sometimes when kids are smiling, they’re still going through hard times.” Depression, coupled with ADHD, made juggling school and family responsibilities difficult for Zwemke. During his sophomore year, his grades started plummeting as did his will to live. Peterson is proud of Zwemke for his willingness to hang on even when he felt hopeless. Zwemke pushed through his Sam Goodrich appreciates the support of school administrators and his parents as he worked to turn his life around. (Jet Burnham/City Journals) hard times and is proud of his accomplishments. “Now I’m on track to graduate with mostly all passing Following a junior year of skipping classes and other grades,” said Zwemke, who plans to study auto mechanics afpoor choices, Goodrich realized his future was at risk. He con- ter high school. “I couldn’t be happier in this point in my life.” sidered how much effort he had already spent on his education Peterson is also optimistic about Zwemke’s future. and his parents’ efforts to keep him in school. “His greatest qualities are his hard work and his wonder“It almost would have been a disservice or a letdown to ful demeanor about life,” he said. “We hope that Ryan continlet all of that go to waste,” he said. ues to do great things—make some super car or whatever he’s He spent the summer making up credits from failed class- going to do.” es.
The Exchange Club scholarship is a motivation for Ryan Zwemke to continue his education. (Reed Scharman/West Jordan Exchange Club)
Aspen Blumentrantz , West Jordan High School Despite a traumatic childhood and living with medical issues brought about by her mother’s drug addiction, Aspen Blumentrantz is committed to have a positive outcome from her experiences. “I would not be who I am today if it weren’t for that period in time,” said Blumentrantz of her childhood. “I am proud to say I didn’t let my upbringing destroy my potential as a successful person. I stayed away from drugs and did excellent in school throughout my whole life.” Things are even better for Blumentrantz since her openheart surgery last December. She hopes to earn a degree in environmental or wildlife studies and dedicate her life to “loving and caring for the planet and everything on it.” “When I set off on my own to get a degree and be a contributing citizen to society, I hope that by doing so I can truly change the way others view how they treat one another and their environment,” she said. WJHS assistant principal Mike Hutchings is impressed
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