By Jessica Kaplan
"Dreams come true with hard work," David said, quoting his mantra with ease and purpose.
These words came to life for David this year when the Merrick Chamber of Commerce honored him with its annual Effort Award and Scholarship. David will use the $1,500 scholarship toward his education at Oneonta College upstate, where he will continue to wrestle.
The scholarship, given to a student at Kennedy, Mepham and Calhoun high schools each year, goes to "a learning-challenged student who pursues a higher education who may not score the highest grade point average, but certainly puts forth a genuine effort," said Julie Marchesella, the chamber president.
Christina Copozzi received the award on behalf of Calhoun High School, and she will attend Southampton College on Long Island as a freshman in the fall.
The scholarships were presented at the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District's Awards Night on June 2, as well as at the chamber's annual Installation Dinner at the Marriot Hotel in Uniondale on June 11.
David and Christina both said they aren't learning disabled in any way, but they said they had to work harder in school to reach their own standards of achievement.
"Some classes I had trouble with and some subjects I got stuck on, but I just had to try my hardest to understand it all," David said. "I'll always put forth 110 percent."
There was no subject in particular that troubled him, but he found that chemistry and social studies came with greater ease than some of the other classes on his schedule. Right now, he isn't sure what major he'll pursue in college. "Every day I switch off," David said. "Some days I want to major in biology and some days business and sometimes sports management."
Christina said, "I always had to work the extra hours to strive for what I wanted." Standardized tests presented the greatest obstacle for her. "Taking the SATs was the hardest part for me because I'm not a good test-taker," she said. "When I heard other people tell me their scores, I didn't think it was possible to get into college with my own scores."
Happily, she was wrong.
And not only did these scholarship winners prove themselves to be workers in the classroom, but also they were active members of their communities and schools.
David wrestled for the famed Kennedy High School team and volunteered for Birch Elementary School's after-school program in Merrick, helping younger students realize their potential.
Christina was an active member of Calhoun's drama program and varsity cheerleading squad. She also took part in community service programs through the Calhoun Key Club.
Christina said, "I put in so much work in high school, and I've improved since junior high, and [this award] makes me feel successful now because all this hard work paid off."
Yes, Coach Robbinson, dreams really do come true with hard work.
