The 9th Annual RAPSA Forum has been taking place this week. Each year, RAPSA gives out awards based on public nominations that can be submitted by teachers, administrators, and policy makers. These awards are intended to recognize the extraordinary promise of their students and the amazing work being done to support them across the country. The Courage Awards are given to students and include a $1,000 scholarship to support in the transition from high school to college and career training.
This year, Hunter Gracey, a student from SIATech North County, was selected to receive the Courage Award based on the nomination by his teacher, Carissa Meyers:
Hunter Gracey first walked, with the aid of a walker, through our school doors on January 13, 2020 with a smile that could light up a room! I knew immediately I wanted him on my caseload and what a JOY he has been as one of my students!
Hunter was in a tragic car accident a couple of years ago that left him in a coma for a few months with multiple broken bones and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that impacts his speech and short term memory. He had to relearn how to walk, talk, and do many of the basic activities we take for granted every day such as getting dressed, feeding himself, and brushing his teeth. He also lost a dear friend in that life-altering accident. He mentions her occasionally, but only to say that he’s going to make her proud of the life he’s been blessed to live. He has fought back from these injuries through endless surgeries, doctor’s appointments, and therapies.
During his months of healing, Hunter had plenty of time to reconsider what he wanted his life to look like moving forward. He decided that his first step needed to be going back and finishing high school, an accomplishment he admittedly didn’t take seriously the first time around.
Once he graduates, he plans to attend college to study to be a veterinarian.
Looking back, knowing all I know now, I understand the look of pure joy I saw on Hunter’s face when he walked through our doors! He had reached a huge milestone in his journey of healing and a new chapter was about to begin! He is one of the hardest working students I have on my caseload. Always willing to ask questions, Hunter has proven he is extremely teachable and willing to take constructive criticism in order to improve upon whatever it is he’s working on at that moment. Giving his full effort into every project he does is the norm and not the exception. His sense of humor is amazing and he makes people laugh with him wherever he goes. He’s not afraid to try hard things, even when it takes him longer than the average student due to his TBI.
In fact, he has actually improved significantly in his skills since starting with SIATech. I’ve seen an increase in his memory, ability to process things at a faster pace, and his comprehension continues to climb higher with each assignment and class he completes. There is not one staff member who has worked with Hunter that hasn’t thoroughly enjoyed their time with him. His determination, resiliency, perseverance, and work ethic make it easy to nominate Hunter for this most deserving award! His dream is to finish high school and go on to college to become a veterinarian.
When you ask him why he’s working so hard to finish, he smiles big with that sparkle in his eyes and simply says, “Because I’m alive and I can!”