Life Heroes share their stories with Optimists

An awards banquet at the Coosa Country Club provides plenty of reason for optimism.

Outside the sky may have been overcast — but inside the Coosa Country Club there was no lack of light and hope on Tuesday night when the Noon Optimist Club of Rome honored nine local high school seniors.

Three finalists were chosen in each of three separate categories based on biographical information, letters of recommendation and a completed essay.

The Life Hero category celebrated students who have defied the odds to conquer obstacles and become successful students.

All three students in the category — Kimberly Jenkins of Armuchee High, Fernando Guzman of Coosa High, and Kordell Prevatte of the Georgia School For the Deaf — were named winners and received awards.

Jenkins grew up amidst tremendous poverty and abuse. Yet, drawing on tremendous strength and resiliency, she was able to escape this cycle of tragedy and graduate with honors from Armuchee. She plans to pursue a career in nursing.

“God has truly blessed me with what I’ve been through,” she said, “He wouldn’t have had me go through it if he didn’t think I would come out stronger.”

Guzman grew up in a house of poverty. Playing soccer one day, he tripped and hurt his knee. When he finally went to have it checked, doctors discovered osteosarcoma, a cancerous tumor in his bone, and decided to amputate Guzman’s leg. He was devastated that he wouldn’t be able to pursue his childhood dream.

“You can’t be a soccer player without your two legs. I was crushed,” he said.

Over the next few years doctors would find cancer in both Guzman’s lungs, which required surgeries. When he went into the hospital after he broke his arm, doctors again found cancer — in that very arm. They gave him a choice — amputate the arm, or risk cancer in the future. To Guzman, it was no question, he didn’t want to ever deal with cancer again. They amputated the arm.

Guzman hopes to become an oncologist, to help other kids fight cancer.

Prevatte was born with problems digesting and aspirating, and now has vision and hearing impairment. He has had to g o t h r o u g h s e v e r a l months of speech, occupational and physical therapy. Even now, the effects linger.

“Have you ever tried drinking fried chicken? Or pancakes and bacon?” he asked the crowd with a smile. He credits his family with standing by him and encouraging him.

“They knew I could defy the odds and prove the doctors wrong. I would conquer every goal put in front of me,” he said.

In the Community Involvement category, Hannah Payne of Unity Christian took home first place and a $500 award. Payne, who has a 4.0 GPA, will attend the University of Georgia in the fall and pursue a degree involving international business and politics.

In her essay, she spoke of the importance of being involved outside the classroom.

“Community involvement exposes people to the world around them, encouraging passion for what they do,” she said.

Other students nominated in the category were Jessica Barrett of Armuchee High and Carly Comer of Coosa High.

In the All-Around Category, Anna Cates of Darlington won first place and a $1,000 award.

Cates, who has a 4.50 GPA, is a two-sport athlete who participates in a variety of extra-curricular activities. She credits these activities with teaching her lessons about leadership.

“Effective leaders work for the benefit of others, not themselves,” she said in her essay. Cates would like to pursue a career in social entrepreneurship.

Other students nominated in the category were Bailey Upton of Model and Morgan Padgett of Rome.

The Noon Optimist Club of Rome seeks to empower young people in the community. For more information call 706-3783994.