Not just another graduate
Lunchtime at Foothill High School. Students dressed in shorts enjoy the sunny break in the campus open area. It's just a few days before the school year ends and the campus is crackling with energy. The buzz on campus is about the proms, the last day of school, graduation and plans for the summer. Through the maze of students, Matt Keller makes his way across campus for one of the last times.
Keller, who uses a wheelchair due to physical challenges, is a member of Foothill's Class of 2005. While he is looking forward to the big day, graduation seemed a long way off when he started Donlon Elementary School as a fresh-faced kindergartner 13 years ago. He breezed through Donlon, and then spent time at Pleasanton Middle School and Hart Middle School before entering Foothill in September 2001.
Long-time school administrator, Steve Maher was principal at Donlon and Hart when Keller was a student and has since maintained contact with him.
"Matt came into kindergarten a hard charger," said Maher of their initial meetings, "He never stopped trying, never complained. He's just remarkable."
Throughout his time in Pleasanton schools, Keller made a lot of friends and memories. From karate to swim team, basketball to ceramics, Keller has never shied away from an activity or a challenge. More recently, skateboarding, snowboarding and boating have become Keller's passions, much to his mother's chagrin. "I just grin and bear it," said his Mom, Jeanne, of her son's more daring pursuits.
Keller has a lot to be proud of academically, too. He excelled in his studies throughout his education and will graduate an A-Student. He enjoys English and Physics, but according to his mom, he excels at math.
Beyond graduating near the top of his class, Keller is a candidate for his Eagle Scout Badge, the highest rank a Boy Scout can achieve. To earn this honor, Keller had to fulfill requirements in areas of leadership, service and outdoor skills. A key component of being honored as an Eagle Scout is the successful completion of a service project. That meant Keller had to plan and direct a project for an organization other than Boy Scouts.
For his Eagle Scout Project, Keller built a trophy case for Hart Middle School. The lighted oak cabinet sits just inside the school's main entrance and according to Maher, "It's just beautiful."
When asked to describe Keller, people mention his character first. Bob Lowe, a Math teacher at Foothill who had Keller in his class for two years, said that his consistently upbeat personality and positive attitude are the traits he will remember the most.
"His positive attitude makes him very popular with his peers," said Lowe. Maher added, "He's a kind person and a good, loyal friend."
Keller said that his immediate post-graduation plans are low-key. His family is hosting a couple of parties for him: one in Pleasanton for friends and neighbors, one in Minnesota for family. Then he plans to take a 10-day Hawaiian Cruise with some friends.
Like many seniors, Keller is looking forward to the independence of college, but has selected a school that offers the convenience of being close to home. "It is a little scary," he said of leaving home, "but I won't be too far away." Keller added that he hopes college includes meeting new friends, having new experiences and "getting a good education, of course."
So, what makes this kid so special beyond his numerous accomplishments? Keller was born with physical limitations that left both his legs and one arm compromised. He uses a wheelchair to get around when he needs to cover some distance. And from teachers to friends, everyone remarks that his physical challenges have never prevented him from achieving his goals.
According to Keller, his biggest challenge is getting around Foothill's hilly campus in his wheelchair. But he has found a way to avoid the longer wheelchair accessible routes on campus: he gets a friend to push his chair the short way.
Keller gives his parents, Jeanne and Dave Keller, a lot of credit for his success because they never treated him as disabled. "They told me I could do it, if I just worked with it," said Matt Keller. In fact, he said that his parents have always been his role models.
For fun this summer, Keller plans to hang out with friends, skateboard at the skate park on Hopyard Road and go boating on the Delta. Then, this fall, he will begin the next chapter in his life at the University of Santa Clara, where he plans to major in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
Concluded Maher, "In 35 years of education, Matt is the most determined student I have ever met. He just never stops trying. There's no doubt he'll be successful."
At Village High, senior beats odds to join Class of 2005
In his darkest days, graduation from high school seemed a distant goal for Ryan Lindsay of Village High School. As recently as his sophomore year, it looked unlikely that Lindsay would graduate with the Class of 2005 due to his frequent, unexcused absences. In fact, one school administrator predicted it would take him six years to complete his high school education.
The dire predictions of his future failure fueled Lindsay's fear and gave him yet another excuse to use drugs. As the claws of addiction dug deeper into his life, school became unimportant. His grades plummeted, he was kicked out of Foothill High School and his options grew limited. Running out of time and choices, Lindsay found his way to Village High School and started to turn his life around.
Village High was a different place, a sanctuary. There were no cliques on campus, teachers were called by their first names and everyone on staff was fun, loving and caring. Village felt like a home away from home for Lindsay, and he started cleaning up his act.
A friend's close call with an overdose almost two years ago stopped Lindsay's drug use before he arrived at Village, but it was a district-recommended counselor, Mike Rose, who Lindsay credits with convincing him to stop abusing his drug of choice: alcohol. Clean and sober almost six months, Lindsay is graduating, on time, with his class. And he is proud of this accomplishment.
"It's the best feeling ever," he said of his upcoming graduation. "I had a lot of love from my family and today, I'm happy, joyous and free. That is my ultimate goal in life."
Lindsay readily admits that his past mistakes caused a great deal of pain to many innocent people and says that he is tired of being a disappointment to those who love him. He's actively pursuing his continued recovery from addiction by participating programs designed to support his decision to live life drug- and alcohol-free.
Lindsay plans to start Diablo Valley College in the fall and will transfer to a four-year school to complete his degree. He has his sights set on getting a California Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate. He wants to help others find their way to sobriety and maintain his own.
While the road to recovery is long for any addict/alcoholic, graduating from Village will be the first of many positive strides for Lindsay.
E-mail a friend a link to this story.
