Super Kid: A whole new attitude

Published 3:57 pm Friday, March 6, 2009

Remarkable turnaround: Brad got off to a slow start in high school with poor grades but began applying himself and doing well by his junior year. Today, he is an A student and has earned a scholarship. He’s hoping to get into Western Washington or Gonzaga universities.

Tough times: In late middle school and early high school, he had many concerns beyond the classroom, including his mother’s failing health during his sophomore year, and the need to look after his younger brother. His mother has since recovered after surgeries. “School was just in the back of my mind.”

Introspection: Brad also took stock of himself, vowing to work harder in school. “I was also very arrogant before realizing that learning is something that can be an enjoyment. It was almost like I felt I didn’t need my teachers. Then I realized they had so much to offer. I was the ignorant one.”

Big picture: “Sometimes we get so caught up in me, me, me, we fail to realize there are things to learn from every other aspect of life.”

Pushing himself: Despite a weak transcript, Brad enrolled in three college-level advanced placement classes during his junior year, pleading with an English teacher to let him into her class. “I had a lot of laughs. People were asking, ‘Brad, what are you doing here?’” He knew he had to prove himself.

Expanding interests: He also began reading more and more literature, taking particular pleasure in the works of Jack Kerouac, Leo Tolstoy and Kurt Vonnegut.

Making it in math: Math had been his worst subject. Today, as a senior in an algebra II class, he is in with mostly younger students. That does not bother him because he has come to appreciate the subject and early mathematicians, such as Archimedes and Pythagoras. “I’m seeing that math is sort of like an art form. They were people who were trying to figure things out. To understand math, I don’t have to be like a human calculator. Math is not just for the people who just whiz through it. Anyone can learn logic from math.”

Fond memories: He particularly liked a stretch of time when he was involved in elementary school food drives, that “age of innocence” when kids and grown-ups were always looking for ways to help others.

Accepting others: Brad said he grew up in a home with gay parents. He had two mothers, which made it hard when he would call out “Mom” and get two replies. It also helped him realize that people come from different backgrounds and that there are times to stand up when others are being ridiculed. “It definitely helped build my awareness.”

Love for art: Even when he struggled academically, Brad did well in his art classes. His joy of art started early in life. Classmates used to pay him in first grade to draw Pokeman cards for them.

Advice to others: Work hard and get to know your teachers and realize they want to help.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.