He simply said, "Maybe they will let me carry the torch." God bless the day he does it again.
L.B. students' struggles inspire
Article Launched: 05/29/2008 11:08:55 PM PDTLONG BEACH - Now 12 years old, Tommy Lyons still has to miss school periodically because of an infant heart transplant.
To prevent organ rejection, doctors have suppressed his immune system, making him more prone to illness.
And yet despite missing school occasionally, Lyons - who is Gompers K-8 School's Most Inspiring Student this year - has kept up his grades in an accelerated learning program.
His teachers "are so amazed that he is able to catch right up," said his mother, Lisa Lyons.
Lyons was among 91 students in the Long Beach Unified School District who were honored Thursday for earning Most Inspiring Student awards, given annually to students who overcome challenges and demonstrate excellence.
Each school selected at least one student who has battled obstacles. Many honorees have confronted medical problems, family issues, learning challenges and other difficulties.
Eight-year-old Dorrian Jones inspired his parents and teachers at Birney Elementary with the strength he showed after his younger sibling died last year as a result of complications from a bone marrow transplant.
"He was what kept us going," said his father, Makoa Jones. "He's been strong every day."
Jeremiah Hawkins, an autistic fifth-grader at Garfield Elementary School, was chosen because of the tremendous improvement he has shown, going from not speaking at all a few years ago, to reading well and engaging others in complete sentences today.
"We are so proud to see him come so far to get this honor," his mother said.
Ten-year-old Rickey Caldwell, who has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, has seen an improvement in his behavior at Emerson Elementary, said his father, Jeff Caldwell.
Robert Rocha, an 8-year-old student at Los Cerritos Elementary, has been hospitalized periodically due to an auto-immune kidney disease that is now in remission.
Justyn Angel Vetere, a Long Beach Unified School District Most Inspiring Student from Naples Elementary, with her mother Victoria Scott, looks for her picture in the Most Inspiring Student Awards dinner program Thursday. Ninety-one were selected for the honor. (Steven Georges/Staff Photographer)And yet he has remained on the honor roll, and has a positive attitude that drives him to cheer on his classmates, said his mother, Jennifer Rocha.
"Not only does he have to deal with his hardship, but he's very encouraging and supportive of his classmates," she said.
Joseph Colon, a sixth-grader at Hamilton Middle School, saw his grades slip after his mother died suddenly this year. But he's rebounded, impressing his teachers.
"Joseph has made a great turnaround," Hamilton Assistant Principal Karen Grunst said.
Teachers, students and parents gathered at downtown's Long Beach Hilton for a celebration dinner and to hear a motivational talk by 91-year-old Olympic athlete and World War II prisoner-of-war survivor Louis Zamperini.
Zamperini, who as a child moved from his native New York State to Torrance, competed in track at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, where he finished eighth in the 5,000-meter race.
His last-lap surge impressed German dictator Adolf Hitler, who shook Zamperini's hand, saying, "Ah, the boy with the fast finish."
Zamperini was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.
In May 1943, his plane went down in the Pacific Ocean due to mechanical failure. Zamperini and another crew member survived for 47 days adrift in a raft, living on scant rations, a few fish and rainwater before being captured by Japanese forces.
He spent the rest of the war in various prisoner camps, where he was experimented on, viciously beaten and forced to do hard labor.
He came home a hero. Zamperini, who became religious after meeting Rev. Billy Graham, returned to Japan a few years later to meet and forgive his former captors.
"Probably the greatest power in the world is forgiveness," he told the audience.
Zamperini said that overcoming challenges gives a person strength.
"And every time you overcome adversity it adds to your heartiness," he said.
Torrance High School's stadium and that city's airfield are named in his honor.
kevin.butler@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1308
Long Beach's Inspiring Students
ELEMENTARY
Addams: Alexis Craig, Grade 5. Alexis has overcome many obstacles to achieve significant academic progress and social growth.
Alvarado: Sok-Hak Phan, Grade 5. Sok-Hak, who has lived in the U.S. for only two years, has shown leadership skills and helps others.
Barton: La'Nieya Meanel-Obando, Grade 5. La'Nieya, who serves as a peer mentor to younger kids, strives for success.
Birney: Dorrian Jones, Grade 3. He inspires the school with his resilience and dedication to learning.
Bixby: Khuong Nguyen, Grade 5. Despite knowing no English at age 8, Khuong has become a high achiever.
Bryant: Anthony Washington, Grade 2. Anthony is an enthusiastic student who cares for others.
Buffum: Antoine Stiggers, Grade 1. Since he arrived at Buffum a year ago, Antoine has blossomed to become a successful student.
Burbank: Jose "Nacho" Cruz, Grade 1. Since he began to hear again about a year ago, Jose has thrived through resilience and enthusiasm.
Burnett: William Evans, Grade 3. Williams overcame a family loss and remains a caring and hard-working student.
Burroughs: Marco Jose, Grade 5. Despite obstacles, Marco remains a source of positive energy.
Carver: Ashlee Wortman, Grade 5. Ashlee, who knows sign language and English, has translated at school assemblies for deaf audience members.
Chavez: Julio Ayala, Grade 3. Thanks to a positive attitude, Julio has seen outstanding academic growth this year.
Cleveland: Sothy Thea, Grade 5. After emigrating from Cambodia as a second-grader, Sothy has excelled though hard work and a positive attitude.
Dooley: Ruby Aunei, Grade 3. Ruby is determined to continue her academic success despite her limited sight and dual languages.
Edison: Nayeli Medina, Grade 5. Nayeli has overcome challenges with courage and determination.
Emerson: Rickey Caldwell, Grade 5. Rickey inspires everyone with his positive attitude and energetic demeanor.
Fremont: Kate Watson, Grade 4. Her daily medical treatments have not prevented her from showing leadership skills and academic excellence.
Gant: Adam Whitson, Grade 4. Adam's tenacity, spirit and great sense of humor are the keys to his success.
Gant: Oscar Aquilar, Grade 5. Oscar, who overcame shyness, is a caring and considerate student.
Garfield: Jeremiah Hawkins, Grade 5. He inspires others with his energy, enthusiasm and leadership.
Grant: Miguel Morales, Grade 3. Miguel has a positive attitude, practices self respect and makes good choices.
Harte: Keith Estelle, Grade 5. Keith encourages other students to succeed by cheering them on.
Henry: Ricardo Reyes, Grade 5. Starting new to the school this spring, Ricardo is a model student.
Holmes: Christopher Gonzalez, Grade 4. Christopher's commitment to learning is one reason for his success.
International: Jessy Ayala, kindergarten. Although he has a serious vision problem, Jessy remains a hard-working and responsible student.
Keller: Akira Spurlock, Grade 4. Akira, who has a positive attitude, turns difficulties into learning experiences.
Kettering: Joey Morris, Grade 5. Although her early years in school were difficult, Joey has become a successful student.
King: Karen Patron, Grade 5. Karen organizes sports activities and gives an orientation to new students.
Lafayette: Hung Bui, Grade 4. Despite emigrating from Vietnam only four years ago, Hung has worked hard to be academically proficient.
Lee: Vanessa Jimenez, Grade 5. Vanessa inspires others with her determination to overcome learning challenges.
Lincoln: Chi Nguyen, Grade 5. Chi helped raise money for Davik Teng, a 9-year-old Cambodian girl who came to the U.S. for heart surgery.
Longfellow: Elizabeth Truman, Grade 4. Even in the face of tremendous personal challenges, Elizabeth has shown a positive attitude.
Los Cerritos: Robert Rocha, Grade 3. Robert's kindness and generosity shows in all he does. He encourages others.
Lowell: Nicole Starr, Grade 5. Since entering kindergarten with few English language skills, Nicole has become an outstanding student who embraces learning.
MacArthur: Matthew Merlo, Grade 4. Due to his hard work, Matthew made tremendous growth to transition from special education into general education.
Madison: Matthew Pittman, Grade 2. Despite difficulties in his personal life, Matthew has shown great behavior and a sense of humor.
Mann: Salvador Leon, Grade 4. Armed with his dictionary to help him master a new language, Salvador has shown that he has the qualities of a scholar.
McKinley: Genesis Martiniez, Grade 3. Genesis is a caring, enthusiastic, and zealous student.
Muir: Jorge Galdamez, Grade 5. Jorge has overcome many obstacles, including numerous surgeries, to become an eager learner.
Naples: Justyn Angel Vetere, Grade 5. Justyn enthusiastically attends school while battling meningococcemia, a blood infection.
Prisk: Carlos Lopez, Grade 5. Carlos, a visually impaired student, demonstrates excellent academic achievement.
Riley: Sara Castro, Grade 5. Sara has shown determination as she moved from a first-grader who spoke no English to an honor-roll member.
Roosevelt: Teontae Rabb, Grade 5. She shows compassion and respect for others.
Signal Hill: Shaniqua Williams, Grade 5. She has maintained proficiency in academics and citizenship despite family challenges.
Stevenson: Darryl Miller, Grade 3. His perseverance and dedication have inspired others.
Tucker: "Manny" Rodriguez, Grade 5. Manny, who has a disability, shows a positive attitude and work ethic.
Twain: Gavin McIntosh, Grade 4. Gavin, who is known for making jewelry, is a positive role model for students.
Webster: Ernesto Lemus, Grade 4. Despite many challenges, including language barriers, Ernesto has persevered with a positive attitude.
Whittier: Demetrius Johnson, Grade 4. Demetrius' hard work and excellent character have led to large academic gains.
Willard: Leslie Ramirez, Grade 1. Despite several family tragedies, Leslie has shown an enthusiastic attitude.
MIDDLE/
K-8 SCHOOLS
Bancroft: Toni Colon, Grade 8. Toni, who volunteers at the school, sets and exceeds personal goals.
Bethune: Ivan Stephens, Grade 5. Overcoming the effects of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, Ivan is a motivated student.
Burcham: Emily Rasmussen, Grade 8. Emily, who has a 4.0 GPA, shows excellent character on a daily basis.
Butler: Andrew Chavez, Grade 7. A dedicated learner, Andrew has a positive attitude and helps others.
Constellation: Hamida Figueroa, Grade 8. A persistent student, Hamida works hard and comes to class prepared.
Cubberley: Kayleigh Scott, Grade 5. Kayleigh's classmates look up to her as a role model of courage.
DeMille: Patricia Johnson, Grade 7. Patricia has learned to deal with disappointment in a positive and constructive manner.
Franklin: Shay Minor, Grade 8. An outstanding student, Shay has shown an enthusiasm for learning.
Gompers: Thomas "Tommy" Lyons, Grade 6. An infant heart transplant recipient, Tommy is determined to excel in athletics and academics.
Hamilton: Joseph Colon, Grade 6. Joseph has kept focus while facing obstacles this school year.
Hill: Jonathan Fisk, Grade 8. Jonathan has maintained a 4.0 GPA while undergoing treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Hoover: Oscar Elenes, Grade 8. In the course of one short year, Oscar has improved his grades and behavior.
Hudson: Kyle Reich, Grade 8. Kyle's ingenuity and curiosity have resulted in academic and personal success.
Hudson: Joshua Sugaton, Grade 5. A determined student, Joshua strives toward his goals.
Hughes: Eli Ali, Grade 8. Eli, a hard worker, has learned to overcome hardships.
Jefferson: Alaysia Sao, Grade 8. Although she has faced many challenges at home, Alaysia has persevered.
Lindbergh: Jonesha Thompson, Grade 8. She has juggled her challenging home-life situation while attending school daily and showing academic growth.
Lindsey: Carlos Alvarez, Grade 7. Carlos has shown strength and fortitude while dealing with his father's death.
Marshall: Leland Montero, Grade 8. Despite challenges, Leland is a successful and dedicated student.
Monroe: Manuela Colonia, Grade 8. Manuela has overcome cancer to become an outstanding academic leader.
Newcomb: Jimmy Loya, Grade 8. An enthusiastic learner, Jimmy has shown a determination to succeed.
Powell: Maria Martinez, Grade 8. Despite a language barrier, Maria is a motivated student who desires to succeed.
Robinson: Rodrigo Parra, Grade 7. An enthusiastic student, Rodrigo is humble, respectful and willing to help others.
Rogers: Ivan Parrott, Grade 8. Ivan overcomes challenges while maintaining a cheery attitude.
Stanford: Gabriella Ocampo, Grade 8. Gabriella, who plans to become a teacher, is a proactive student who inspires others.
Stephens: Becky Sandoval, Grade 8. Despite challenges, Becky is a motivated, positive, and caring student.
Tincher: Sophia Hanna, Grade 6, Sophia has been able to maintain a B-plus-to-A average in accelerated classes.
Washington: Olivia Villa, Grade 8. An optimist known for her smile, Olivia has overcome extreme obstacles.
HIGH SCHOOL
Avalon: Gladis Contreras, Grade 12. After her teacher suddenly passed away this year, Gladis supported her peers through the grieving process.
Cabrillo: Sharon Nava, Grade 12. Her determination an positive outlook have helped her overcome challenging circumstances.
CAMS: Asya Knight, Grade 12. Asya has overcome personal struggles while completing rigorous college prep courses.
Jordan: Donald Alikhan, Grade 12. He overcame tremendous personal difficulties to become one of Jordan's most well-rounded seniors.
Lakewood: Rudy Antonio Rodriguez, Grade 12. Rudy regained his cognitive skills after suffering from a traumatic brain injury that resulted in several major operations.
L.B. School for Adults: Luis Rey. Luis is known for his generosity and belief in lifelong learning.
Millikan: Sam Richardson, Grade 12. Sam conquered his bout with stress and anxiety through his performance in school productions and leadership in student clubs.
PAAL: Eta Velega, Grade 12. Eta, who has flourished despite adversity in her life, reaches out to peers and teachers.
Poly: Belem Roldan, Grade 11. Despite extremely challenging circumstances, Belem has made a commitment to her academic career.
Reid: Erica Bryant, Grade 11. Erica's focus, dedication and maturity inspire others.
Renaissance: Rosisela Mendez, Grade 12. Rosisela's unwillingness to give up inspires adults and peers. She sees college as a way to make a better life for herself and her son.
ROP: Jo-Ryan Salazar. Although faced with medical challenges at a very young age, Jo-Ryan has remained positive and achieved academically.
Wilson: Patrick Wenger, Grade 12. Patrick is a spokesman and fundraiser for research into a cure for McCune-Albright Syndrome.
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