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Reminder Assistant Editor LONGMEADOW Just as a coal uses friction to become a diamond, three local students have overcome personal tragedies to shine. During a presentation last week at Rinaldi's restaurant, the Exchange Club of Suburban Springfield honored their sixth annual A.C.E. Award recipients, Brendan Burke of East Longmeadow High School, Katherine Sutherland of Longmeadow High School and Jamie Sullivan of Minnechaug Regional High School. "Not just the highest academic achievers should be recognized," President of the club, Sharon Person said. "I think everyone can use recognition for a job well done, especially if they've overcome adversity." Each honoree was chosen by their school to apply for the award, a $250 prize to be used towards college. They all wrote essays sharing the personal obstacles they have overcome to be college-bound students. Sullivan will soon be studying psychology, most likely at Simmons College in Boston. Her future career as a clinical psychologist has much to do with her life's challenges. At the age of 11, Sullivan was diagnosed with psychosis and depression. Her case was severe and led to hallucinations of both visions and voices. This disorder weakened her memory, shattered her self esteem and made it impossible to live a normal life. Sullivan said that when her memory was at its worst, she would do six to eight hours of studying to get an A, sometimes more. It took three long years to regulate her medication to a point where she was happy and productive again. Her memory and mind-set have improved so greatly that her case is being used in clinical publications. "The [hallucinations] were so derogatory and self defecating," Sullivan said. "The hardest part was to just ignore them and gain back my self confidence to be able to progress with my life." Burke, who plans to study computer science at the University of Massachusetts this fall, has coped with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder his entire life. Although it has been a struggle, he has remained in standard classes, without using special services. "I could have been a lot worse, there are some people I know who just completely slack off," Burke said. "I just never liked that idea, it never seemed right." Burke hopes to someday work for a software company where he can develop video games. Sutherland has spent much of her life in hospitals though she is perfectly healthy. When she was just eight years old, her father suffered a stroke from which he has never fully recovered. In and out of hospitals and now living in a nursing home, his burden was shared by his family who suffered in his absence. Not long ago, Sutherland's little brother was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, another ailment that meant spending a lot of time in hospitals. To complicate these tough situations, Sutherland's only local relative, aside from immediate family, is her 90-year-old grandmother. "I've learned to take my emotions and feelings out by doing things like my charity work to keep my mind off of stuff," Sutherland said. "It allows me to help other people and helping other people helps me." All three students and their families attended the ceremony where they were presented with checks, plaques, and gift certificates for one large pizza each, courtesy of Rinaldi's. Todd Marchant, the club's secretary and A.C. E. award coordinator explained that A.C.E. stands for Accepting the Challenge of Excellence. Each nominee will also be entered into the club's regional awards for a chance to win further monies towards college. "When you overcome personal handicaps and difficulties or family issues, it makes a better person out of you," Marchant said. "People with normal lives are not as prepared for struggles in life as these kids are." | ||||||
