Living

<< Previous   of   Next >> Dan Bates / The Herald  (click to enlarge) Granite Falls Middle School student, Luis Torres is the Herald's Super Kid this week.   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Cascade High senior a leader in school's food drive 11/9/09 • Super Kid: Piano man Eric McElroy 10/26/09 • Super Kid: Proud to farm 10/5/09 • Super Kid: Laura Pfeifer, 17, Mariner High School 6/29/09 • Super Kid: Success after rough start for Marysville senior 6/8/09   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, January 15, 2009 Super kid / Luis Torres, 14: Boy with Asperger's blossoms at Granite Falls Middle School By Eric Stevick Herald Writer Making his mark: The eighth-grader, who has Asperger's Syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism, has endeared himself to the staff at Granite Falls Middle School for his strong work ethic, willingness to help others and politeness. In November, the Granite Falls School Board gave him the district's quarterly Success In Education award. It represents a student's understanding of the importance of education and contributions at school. Masterful memory: Luis amazes people with his vast knowledge of auto racing history. The Herald tested his recall, asking him several dates and events. For example, he correctly answered the following with the name of the driver and other information: 1982 Daytona 500, Bobby Allison, Buick; 1984 Indianapolis 500, Rick Mears, Penzzoil; 1999 Indianapolis 500, Kenny Brack for A.J.. Foyt Enterprises. Studying the past: He has watched highlights of races dating back decades. The race he most wishes he could have watched live was the 1992 Hooters 500 in Atlanta. Racing fan: "My favorite auto racing is pretty much anything that has to do with four wheels." Dream trip: Some day he would love to watch a NASCAR event in person. Smooth landing: Fifth grade was a hard time for Luis, who moved to Granite Falls more than four years ago, but middle school has been a wonderful experience. "When I came here, everything just changed. That's when I got respect." He was elected to the student body senate, largely with support of older students, when he was in the sixth grade. Sideline helper: Luis has been manager for the middle school football and basketball teams. He frequently is asked to keep statistics in basketball and, as an editor for the yearbook, often takes sports pictures and other photos on campus. He also has run cross country and track in the past. Opening up: It once was hard for Luis to talk to people, but he said he is becoming increasingly comfortable sharing his thoughts with others. "I have really grown a lot in my speaking abilities. I was sort of the quiet one who would not talk very much." Career goals: Auto racing or TV broadcasting. Favorite movies: As a child, he would watch "Toy Story," rewinding it over and over again. Now he likes "Grand Prix" and the "Rocky" series, particularly the first and third movies in the series. Lots of help: Luis credits his former middle school counselor, Tom Arlt, who is now a principal in Eastern Washington, for being his mentor and helping him do well and fit in. He also praises his seventh-grade language arts teacher, Miss Chaundy, for helping him learn punctuation and enjoy writing. "I used to have these long, long run-on sentences." Music buff: Luis also has vast knowledge of rock 'n roll trivia, dating back to Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley. He lists the Beatles among his favorites. Close family: He shares a bedroom at home and is the oldest of four children with brothers Alberto and David, and sister, Fernanda. Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or e-mail stevick@heraldnet.com. Know a super kid? Contact us at 425-339-3036 or e-mail schoolfyi@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Gay marriage issue can wait, say Referendum 71 partisans 2. Six injured, three critically, in wreck near Machias 3. Forecast for 2010 housing market: slow decline 4. First-time homebuyer credit invites tax cheats 5. That's Stud Muffin to you 6. Offensive line helps Marysville-Pilchuck rush into state playoffs 7. Glacier Peak freshman overcomes jitters to win state in cross country 8. Proud union member and veteran had a wild side 9. Snohomish County's former sanitation director claims his ouster was forced 10. More snow expected for Cascades, mountain passes 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Gough on track to keep job • Jazz vocalist headlines NPAC • Mountlake Terrace makes football history • Tax revenue sagging, city budgets lagging • ‘Touch of Magic' show opens at Gallery North • Jackson repeats as South champs • Holiday Bazaars Calendar • Meadowdale storms back to grab title • Edmonds moves to Fire District 1 • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million