True grit: Counselors' award winners are nothing less than inspiring

It would be nearly impossible to read the stories of the four young people honored this past week by the WCPS School Counselors Association and not get a catch in your throat.

It should have been even harder to look at their faces and not to feel a rush of pride that young people of this quality call Wayne County home.

Mohammed Manees Al-Harizi, Isquenbely Idoris, Latifah Syeh and Timothy Dortch have all faced challenges -- and at very, very young ages.

They were honored because they have done more than simply survived the roadblocks they have encountered. They have thrived.

Their stories contain obstacles that might put an adult on a downward spiral -- challenges that no one should have to face before they have made it through elementary school or headed off to college.

But as you can tell by the smiles on their faces, they are moving forward, and ready to conquer whatever comes their way.

By their sides are mentors, teachers, counselors and others who have helped them forge their paths.

The eldest of the group, Latifah, made sure those gathered understood just how special her mentor, Jason Willoughby, is, and thanked all her teachers at Goldsboro High for believing in her.

She is No. 4 in her graduating class this year and will be heading off to college.

And that result, in a nutshell, is why Wayne County needs to remember how important its teachers and administrators are to its schools. People like this exist throughout the school system, and they change lives every day.

It is a fact that one of the parents, who has watched his son blossom, pointed out.

Manees Al-Harizi, a pilot stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, thanked those who have helped his son, Mohammed, soar.

Try to hold back the tears on that one.

These special young people share their joy with those around them. Isquenbely, whose blindness kept him from school in Haiti, has his own breakfast club of friends at his school now. He is a joyful and eager learner.

They lead by example of what can be done when someone decides obstacles will not keep them from moving forward.

Timothy, a repeat winner, whose prolonged battle with diabetes did not stop him from striving to be better each day, is a happy and successful third-grader now. And his determination and attitude are an inspiration to his teacher.

We can learn so much from these young people -- first about perseverance and then about hope and courage.

How blessed we are to hear their stories.

Published in Editorials on April 13, 2014 12:10 AM