Resilience and a positive attitude

HURON — "Resilient, positive and a true definition of how a positive attitude can affect people." This is how Firelands Positive People's president Michael Eirons described the students recognized by the organization. Firelands Positive People is a nonprofit that highlights the heroics, bravery, resiliency, kindness and charitable spirit of area high school seniors. For 30 years, the organization has invited students from Erie, Huron and Ottawa counties, their families and school district representatives to a scholarship award ceremony. The hidden gem of an event recognizes students' embodiment of these characteristics and showcases the obstacles they've overcome. This year, the event hosted about 200 positive people supporters on Wednesday at Mesenburg's Plaza Place in Huron. "This is a scholarship program for kids who have overcome some amazing obstacles in their lives, and they do it with a positive outlook and enthusiasm," Michael said. It's not just about what the students have gone through, according to the organization's founder, Bob Eirons: It's about the students' attitude and resilience. Demonstrating their characteristics After a brief introduction of each student and their school district, a summary of their bravery and courage was given through an excerpt from each of their life stories. The students were not identified by name in the excerpts. Stories of those involved include: • Their stepmother needed a liver transplant. They and their sister were left home alone to take care of the house, each other and the farm while their stepmother and dad were gone for two months. • At 13 years old, they went through a year of monthly testing and discovered they had a rare blood-clotting disease. • They were diagnosed with two very rare blood-clotting diseases. • Their 6-year-old sister suddenly passed away from sepsis. The family had no time to react and pressure was put on all of them. • They were diagnosed with a severe developmental disability: speech apraxia. They did not speak until they were five years old. • After a taekwondo kick, their ankle was broken in a way that is often seen after falls of more than 40 feet. Several doctors and hospitals refused to help because they feared they would do more damage. • They had a love for dance but suddenly noticed they could not keep their heels on the floor while walking. They spent months in splints with little improvement. Within a six-month frame, they had surgery on both ankles. • One of their first memories is when they were three years old, trying to get out of bed but couldn't find the strength. After 32 doctor appointments, 13 MRIs and 10 surgeries, they discovered an in-bone benign tumor. • After realizing they could not walk the short distance from home to school, they were put through hours of tests and needles. They were diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. If they had not gone to the hospital when they did, they would not have lasted another 24 hours. • They come from low-income and an old house in need of repairs. They have a broken home with constant fighting, alcoholism and a brother with epilepsy. • They suffered from self-harm, an eating disorder and had a suicide attempt. Their mental state took over their world and well-being. • They struggled with self-doubt and a lack of self-confidence. Every day social interactions were overwhelming. They were stuck between needing to fit in and the fear of saying the wrong thing. • The weight of their self-hate was unbearable. They questioned if they deserved to exist at all. • They suffered from anxiety and panic attacks, which made going to school difficult. By the end of the ceremony, after students' life stories were shared, many in the audience had shed a tear and felt pride for what the students in the room had gone through and overcome. "I'm very proud of her," said Robyn Rogers, a drama teacher for Norwalk Schools and a supporter of Norwalk High School student, Roxanna Brummitt. "She's overcome so much and is deserving of all the good things." The students, like Brummitt, express their gratitude for the organization and the ability to share stories. "I think it's a really good thing," Brummitt said. "Someone came up to me and told me that she went through a similar thing, and she was telling me her story. I think it's a good thing that me reaching out and saying that I went through this, it helps other people move forward." The awards The largest giveaway amount the organization has ever done marked this milestone year. A total of $49,000 will go toward these strong students so they can continue their education after high school. • The top award of $10,000 went to Roxanna Brummitt from Norwalk High School. Brummitt used her time at the podium accepting her award as a way to thank the Firelands Positive People organization. "I think it's great that there's an organization out there that does this for people because a lot of people say that teens don't actually go through anything, and their feelings don't matter," Brummitt said. "I feel like a lot of people go through that. They tell them to suck it up and get over it. Sometimes, you can't." • The $8,000 second-place award went to Hayden Ryan from Monroeville High School. • The third-place award of $6,000 went to Audrey Payton from EHOVE Career Center and Margaretta High School. • In addition to the three top awards, all remaining finalists each received a $2,000 scholarship: — Alexa Hamann from Danbury High School — Gianna Camera from Firelands High School — Grant Bauer from Huron High School — Hunter Grahl from Margaretta High School — Mason Adams from Perkins High School — Gabriella Heilmann from Port Clinton High School — Bella Matthews from Sandusky Central Catholic School — Chloe Goodsite from Sandusky High School — Isabella Lucha from South Central High School — Isabelle Rizzo from St. Paul High School — Chad Ellis II from Vermilion High School • The organization also provides additional awards for those who stood out for their courage, connection to music and enthusiasm: — The Courage Award: Gianna Camera — The Music Award: Chloe Goodsite — The Enthusiasm Award: Isabelle Rizzo • The award ceremony also recognized those who made a positive impact on students' lives. Four students thanked a person in their life with the Positive Impact Award: — Audrey Payton honored her mom. — Hayden Ryan highlighted his football coach. — Bella Matthews brought attention to her guidance counselor. — Roxanna Brummitt recognized her drama teacher. Brummitt met her drama teacher, Robyn Rogers, three years ago. She said Rogers has not only been a support for her, but for other students as well. This year, the Firelands Positive People organization and each awarded student also received special recognition from the Ohio House of Representatives. State Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, represented the state's House in recognizing the organization's 30 years of service and the students for overcoming challenges.