There's been a lot of bad news recently; in fact for the past week these evening newscasts have seemed like a running catalogue of crime. And, true enough, as we always say, it's hard to love when there's so much to hate, but trust me, just like you, we want something to cheer about too.
And today, we found just the person; in our next story Keith Swift will introduce you to a Saint John's College student who is the first form student of the year. While that in it is an accomplishment, 14-year-old Kaylon Young's story of perseverance and determination is far more remarkable.
[SJC High School Principal Reverend Vega,
"He is a student who is an example to the rest of us. Though not perfect we honor the hard work that they do. And so the first form student of the year goes to Kaylon Young."]
Kaylon Young, SJC Student of the Year (1st form)
"I felt good because I didn't really expect I would get it because others student said they would get the award too. So I said they would get it before me."
"I was just thinking that I worked for it because I was always studying, doing my assignments at school, and doing what the teacher said. I think that how I deserved it."
On Sunday it was Kaylon Young's crowning achievement to receive the student of the year award at the Saint John's High School graduation ceremony. But this 14-year-old had already achieved something greater. Kaylon was born with deformed fingers so he has limited use of his hands but he hasn't made that setback limit his possibilities. Kaylon can write, type, play a game of solitaire and he gets straight A's.
Kaylon Young,
"I was born with my hands like this but it doesn't really affect me because I am already used to it and know how to deal with it."
Q: So can you write?
Kaylon Young,
"Yes."
Q: How do you cope in the classroom against other children who might not have the use of all their fingers?
Kaylon Young,
"Well when I first began SJC it was a little hard because I would be writing and everyone would be watching me. But then after a little while I didn't worry about it and I just did my work."
"I just work hard and try my best and be unique. I know people have disabilities and they let it put them down but I don't let mine put me down."
Q: _Did you have a fear of going to high school because you know that there everybody wants to fit?
Kaylon Young,
"At first yes I had a fear. But after that I just started blend in and everybody just started hanging together and blend in."
But it wasn't always this way. Life wasn't always as easy as Kaylon now makes it seem. Before SJC and before the award Kaylon had to overcome the stigma of being different.
Kaylon Young,
"When I was younger they would always call me all kinds of names. They would always try to get me vex and those kinds of things. But after a little while I just ignored it but a lot of them were teasing me and a lot of things."
"First it was hard to take but after a while I just left them there. I just told myself not to worry about them because I knew I could do better than them. I knew I could do my work better than they could. They didn't really know their work and still they were teasing people and not studying their work."
He did overcome the adversity and he says it was in no small part due to the number one lady in his life who is his mother Chris Goff.
Kaylon Young,
"My mom is the number person behind my success because she always tell me to keep my head high and do my work."
Chris Goff, Kaylon's Mother
"From Kaylon small I always told him not to worry about anyone. Just go and do your best and if anyone say anything just don't even bother with them. Just explain to them that you were born that way. And from school I exposed him a lot. Wherever I went I took him with me and whenever anyone asked me about him, I always explain to him or her that he was born that way. So I guess that is why he isn't ashamed of his hand right about now."
And that is just what Kaylon has been doing. And yes, sure, he a is a honor student and at the top of his first form class at SJC but at the end of it all, he is just like any other teenager and any other student.
Q: What was the hardest subject for you this year?
Kaylon Young,
"The hardest subject was history."
Q: And the easiest?
Kaylon Young,
"Math and Spanish."
Q: _What do you see yourself becoming in the future?
Kaylon Young,
"I want to become a bank manager. Manage a bank or something."
Q: _How are you going to spend your summer vacation?
Kaylon Young,
"Well maybe I will go play in a football tournament or just go enjoy myself in a village or something."
And while he is enjoying his summer break, Kaylon says there is a lesson in his success for all of us. Because yes he was born at a disadvantage but he also had a will to succeed and he did.
Kaylon Young
"They must just look at my disability and know that I worked for it even with the disability. So I think they voted for me because they think I deserved it. No matter people tell me I still do my work and I don't let nobody put me down."
And right about now it would be hard to put kaylon down. He may not be on the top of the world but he is on top of his class.
Kaylon graduated from St. John's Vianney Primary School on a scholarship. Will Kaylon ever gain use of his hands? Well he has undergone numerous surgeries since birth to correct the deformity but the corrective effects have been minimal. And we thank the Port Loyola library allowing us to use their facilities to conduct the interview.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited for the internet by Keith Swift