Whiz Kid of the Week: For the Love of Learning

This week's Whiz Kid is Adam Ross, the 2010-2011 recipient of the “Every Student Succeeding” award for Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The award is given every year by the Association of California School Administrators to one student who has exceeded expectations and overcome great obstacles to succeed. 

Along the road that led him to the award, Ross passed through an abusive household, gangs, jail, and the foster system. He enrolled in the San Leandro Unified School District's alternative high school, , in the second part of the 2009-2010 school year, and quickly impressed his teachers with his brains and maturity. 

Ross graduated from Lincoln last January, a semester early, and is now enrolled full time at Laney College. His diverse course load includes Cultural Anthropology, French, Pre-Algebra and History of Asian Art. 

"I really love it," he said. "It fits me."

Ross had high praise for the staff and his fellow students at Lincoln. "There were a lot of good people there who supported me," he said.  

Asked what helped him diverge from the rough path he was on, Ross said: "I think I just was tired of living that way."

"It’s just not me; I always knew it wasn't, I just had to emancipate myself from the situation through my actions." 

Hats off to Ross from Patch. 

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week

• Name: Adam Ross
• Age/School: 17, Laney College
• Accomplishment: Recipient of the 2010-11 “Every Student Succeeding” award for Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
• Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Finding his True Self

If you have someone you'd like to nominate, send an email to Jill Replogle at jillr@patch.com. Please follow the format above and include a high resolution photograph of your nominee.