City of Santa Clarita
Teen Hero

Teen Heroes recognized, see pictures.

Ross Shields/October

Guadalupe Camacho

February 2012

Congratulations to Guadalupe Camacho from Bowman High School for being selected as a "Santa Clarita Valley Teen Hero." The following text is from The Signal newspaper:

Santa Clarita's newest Teen Hero is Bowman High School student Guadalupe Camacho. She was nominated by Bowman Principal, Robin Geissler, and teacher Mike Nugent. As part of the Bowman Associated Student Body (ASB), Guadalupe works very hard in her ASB class, is an excellent leader, and often gives of her free time to help with fundraisers and special projects.

When asked what obstacles or challenges she has faced and overcome, Guadalupe said,

"Well my biggest challenge is attending school and leaving my two kids at home. I am a teenage mom of two children ages 2 and 3 years old. You can imagine how hard it is to wake up early in the morning and go to intervention classes. It is difficult when I get home and want to focus on a certain task or on homework, but my two children won't let me. Even so, I manage to get my school work done and on time. And in order to succeed you need to overcome obstacles and challenges. I was a school dropout. The day Mrs. Geissler allowed me to come to Bowman High School changed my life. I owe her for allowing me to join this wonderful school."

When Guadalupe was asked who has had a major impact in her life, she shared that without the support of her children and loving boyfriend, she would never be as focused in school. Guadalupe said, "My children inspire me and make me want to succeed in life and to go further in school."

ASB is a student leadership program that promotes the interests and welfare of the school, its students, and the community. Guadalupe is very involved in ASB and has often given up her free time to help with events and fundraisers. She said, "I like the feeling when I help others or organize events."

Guadalupe has particiapted in the school's blood drive, as well as in the food pantry drive. As to her goals, she said,

"My major goals are to attend college and study audiology. I want to study audiology, which is the science of hearing. I am really interested in this because my mother is a deaf mute, which means she isn't able to hear or speak. I am fluent in sign language. I want to be able to find a cure for deafness and to learn the causes of deafness. My major would be science and human anatomy."

Congratulations to Guadalupe, a Bowman Bulldog and Teen Hero!

Ross Shields

October 2011

Congratulations to Ross Shields from Bowman High School for being selected as a "Santa Clarita Valley Teen Hero." The following text is from The Signal newspaper:

Santa Clarita's newest Teen Hero is Bowman High School student Ross Shields. Nominated by Bowman High School Principal Robin Geissler and teacher Mike Nugent, Ross was chosen because of his mature attitude and the active role he takes on the school campus. According to Geissler and Nugent, Ross's leadership skills have inspired both teachers and students.

"I have overcome many obstacles in my life," said Ross. "I dropped out of school in 6th grade to take care of my mom who was seriously ill. I later moved out on my own at the age of sixteen. The driving force behind my decision to change my life for a better future stems from a home life that was filled with drugs and violence. I knew that if I stayed in that enviornment that I too would get sucked into a world of chaos."

According to Ross, many people have helped him along the way, but it was an 8th grade school counselor named Christina who had a major impact on his life.

Christina helped me through a lot and she really cared about me," Ross said. "She even nominated me for the award I received from the City of Burbank, because I was doing so well in school."

Ross is involved with the Associated Student body (ASB), making use of his selling abilities such as water sales before and after school, as well as at graduation. He also helps with food sales at "Back to School" nights.

Bowman ASB Director, Jenny Dermody, commented that "Ross is a positive influence on the people around him, and I love how motivated he is."

"My goals are to stay positive, to do my best in school, and to continue my education," said Ross. "I would like to go to college where I plan to study business. I want to obtain my business license so that I can open my own cleaning service. I would also like to become a chef. I plan on graduating from high school next year and I am committed to pursuing a life of excellence in whatever I do."

Congratulations to Ross, a Bowman Bulldog and Teen Hero!

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