July 5, 2007
Inman students get through the obstacles
Students awarded scholarships for graduating despite barriers
BY JORGE BARRIENTOS IRVINE WORLD NEWS
One student cared for a mother with cancer throughout high school. Another dealt with bad vision and seizures caused by brain problems. And still another went through her senior year living on her own, with no parental support.
They all have one thing in common: they graduated this year.
SupportAbility, a nonprofit that gives scholarships to high school seniors who graduate despite obstacles, awarded about $10,000 to nine seniors in three Irvine high schools this year.
Julie Inman, SupportAbility president, grew up in Irvine and knows about perseverance. After suffering a brain hemorrhage as a high school sophomore in 1981, she had to learn how to speak and write again, but went on to graduate not only from high school, but also from college.
“Every one needs a little applause, a pat on the back for overcoming something,” Inman said. “It’s our hope to recognize these students, and really give them a push to continue their educational goals.”
Her parents began the Julie Inman Courage Award in 1985 to give scholarships to struggling seniors who refused to give up at Mater Dei High School, Inman’s alma mater. Since becoming a nonprofit five years ago, Inman’s program has helped give more than $150,000 to Orange County and Los Angeles students, she said.
Philip Okamoto, from Woodbridge High School, is one. He was diagnosed with complex partial seizures in sixth grade. Surgery was performed to try to remove the area of the brain that caused the seizures, but only a part could be removed because it was tangled in nerves that control his speech and language, his mother Cheryl said.
Despite the difficulties with language and comprehension due to seizures and medications, he graduated recently with a 3.2 GPA. And he was involved in many school activities. He also completed his Eagle Scout Rank for Boy Scouts.
“It makes me feel good that out of everyone in the school, my name was chosen,” Philip said.
He will attend Irvine Valley College, and hopes to transfer to Cal State Fullerton.
Another scholarship recipient is Yolanda Camacho from University High. She left her parent’s house last year due to family difficulties, and moved alone into an apartment in Irvine. She worked full time at Target while going to school, juggling homework and bills.
“It’s not something I recommend to anyone,” she said. “It’s been a pretty difficult experience.”
She graduated recently, and will head off to the University of La Verne to major in psychology.
“It’s been hard, but it’s made me a stronger individual,” she said. “I was proud of myself for graduating. It was probably the best feeling of my life.”
For Inman, giving never gets old, she said. She gave 34 scholarships this time around. She hopes to award more scholarship at more schools in future years.
“It’s very moving and very rewarding to me,” she said. “They persevered through their problems, and they’re pushing themselves. We’re just trying to offer support and recognition.”
Irvine SupportAbility Students
Creekside:
Alejandro Amezquita
University:
Yolanda Camacho
Woodbridge:
Lauren Barich Lisa Herron Sabrina Nastrini Philip Okamoto Sisters Sitara and Sara Rahman Nhat-Tan Tran
SupportAbility
• “Rewards courage” by giving scholarships to graduating high school seniors who have faced and beaten odds to get their diplomas
• Began in 1985 as the Julie Inman Courage Award to give scholarships to struggling seniors who refused to give up at Mater Dei High School, Inman’s alma mater
• Gave $27,500 to 34 students this year
• Awarded more than $ 150,000 since 2001
• Serves 19 schools
• Supported by three high schools hosting student clubs to raise funds (Villa Park High, Foothill High and University High)
• President Julie Inman received the Ring of Honor at Mater Dei High School (2005) and was nominated for the Athena Award given by Orange County Panhellenic