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Evelyn Ramirez, from fields to Ivy League
The Bee is telling the stories of three people who didn't let growing up poor hold them back. They were driven to achieve in a Valley sometimes known as the Appalachia of the West.
Rural poverty blankets the region, and Fresno suffers with one of the highest concentrations of urban poverty in the nation.
The three people a young woman, a young man and a grandfather have never met, but their stories have common threads.
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A party of hope held for Hawk
HANFORD Dozens of friends gathered Monday for Debbie Hawk's birthday, determined not to give up hope that the missing mother of three will be found alive.
"She'd be ecstatic about everyone turning out for her birthday," said Taryn Maltes of Fresno. "And she'd want some wine."
Hawk, 47, vanished three weeks ago from her home on Tarragon Avenue. Her son and two daughters returned to the house June 13 after a weekend with their father and found the home ransacked.
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NINTH GRADE: CHRISTY YIN
Christy Yin has a simple formula for success: Discover what you enjoy doing and then work at it with all your heart, mind and soul.
For the 14-year-old University High School freshman, that means pursuing a childhood dream of performing onstage. But what sets her apart from other goal-driven students is her willingness to put other people and education ahead of personal ambition.
Christy said helping children as a volunteer at Fig Garden Dance Studio and in her mother's second-grade class at Manchester GATE Elementary School is her most satisfying accomplishment.
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Blood drives honor Tulare Co. crash victims
ORANGE COVE -- She knew she had to do something, but she wasn't sure what.
Sheila Wiebe, the principal of McCord Elementary School in Orange Cove, has known Jennifer Salazar ever since Salazar was a student in one of Wiebe's Reedley College classes a decade ago. After Salazar and her husband, Carlos Salazar Jr., lost their five children in a tragic car crash last month near Orosi, Wiebe felt compelled to help.
Salazar's relatives suggested a blood drive in honor of the Orange Cove family. A few e-mails later, Wiebe had contacted the Central California Blood Center and recruited some 75 volunteers help out -- mostly Kings Canyon Unified employees.
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11th Grade: Zoe Kisling
Zoe Kisling has a 4.08 grade-point average and a long list of academic and athletic accomplishments and honors.
But her impressive credentials don’t stop there: The 17-year-old junior at Granite Hills High School in Porterville also is community-minded.
This school year she started Knots of Love, a project that makes blankets for children who are taken in by Child Protective Services. She also helped organize a prom for special needs students.
Abigail Santos has a real flair for academic achievement, but it's her work outside the classroom that sets her apart. Abigail works hard to maintain straight A's in class, then spends her free time visiting elderly residents at a local senior center.
On each visit, Abigail brings handmade cards and drawings to give as gifts. Abigail also participated in a "math-a-thon" event at school to raise money for patients at St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Los Angeles.
Teacher Jessica Escobedo said Abigail recently gave a much more personal gift to help less fortunate children.
"She has long, beautiful hair, and she donated 12 inches of it to 'Locks of Love,' who in turn make children's wigs for cancer patients," Escobedo said.
"She has a great character and a love for helping others. For her age, she's a very mature, responsible and caring child."
Escobedo said that despite Abigail's many successes, she is not the type of child to show off or brag.
"Even when she wins top honors in a subject, she's very gracious," Escobedo said.
"Our school has a focus on values, and Abigail really sticks out for the values she shows every day."
Abigail, who wants to become a teacher one day, said she enjoys getting to know new people and helping those in need, especially senior citizens.
"I like to write little cards to them, they can say 'I love you' or 'you're special,' or things like that," Abigail said.
"The people really seem to enjoy getting those cards."
-- Denny Boyles
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Academic All-Stars 2007
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