Like many high school seniors, Cisco Heath has two things on his
mind
– getting into college and getting out of his home town.
Hollister – Like many high school seniors, Cisco Heath has two things on his mind – getting into college and getting out of his home town.
But not every student has the kind of academic clout the soon-to-be Anzar High School graduate recently received. The National Hispanic Recognition Program, a branch of the nonprofit College Board membership organization, selected only 4,800 of about 150,000 Hispanic students nationwide to be recognized for exceptional academic achievements based on their Preliminary SAT scores. That means approximately the top 3 percent.
And Heath, who has dreams of spending the next four years slaving away at the University of California at Berkeley, made the cut.
“I didn’t really study, but I did very well,” he said.
Heath, who, along with his parents, was pleased with the scores and the acknowledgment, is the first student in the school’s history to be identified for recognition through the program, Anzar Principal Charlene McKowen said.
“We’re really proud of him,” McKowen said. “He is just an amazing person, a great academic and a great athlete.”
Outside of the classroom, Heath competes in the school’s cross country program.
Heath, who is modest about his achievements, is excited about college. He is looking at Berkeley, University of California at Santa Cruz and Stanford University. Regardless of where he ends up next fall, Heath plans to major in computer engineering. And although he’s eager to begin his higher education, Heath remains focused on his academics at Anzar and is busy preparing for graduation this fall.
Anzar graduation requirements are more stringent than those required by the state. For example, students must complete 100 hours of community service, called “Service Learning,” before graduating. Heath completed most of his community service work by tutoring other students and helping out with Anzar Booster Club fundraisers.
In addition to completing course work, service work and passing classes, Heath and his peers must demonstrate to a jury of teachers, peers and community members that they have mastered essential reasoning skills, such as backing up arguments with appropriate evidence. This is called “graduation by exhibition.”
Calculus is another obstacle he must overcome before graduation.
“It’s pretty hard, but it’s pretty fun too,” Heath said.
But in addition to academics, there is another aspect of college Heath is looking forward to.
“Getting out of Aromas,” he said.
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected]
