The best he can be: Spaulding graduate is the definition of success
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Spaulding senior Zak Schmoll will graduate with academic honors this weekend. JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR/TIMES ARGUS |
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By SUSAN ALLEN TIMES ARGUS EDITOR - Published: June 15, 2009
BARRE — When Zak Schmoll takes the podium at the Spaulding High School graduation Saturday and gives his speech about success, listen up.
This young man, the Class of 2009's Salutatorian, personifies success.
"Success is working hard and doing the absolute best you can," said Schmoll, 17, who suffers from Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a degenerative disease, and has been in a wheelchair since age 3.
"I've been successful at some things, but I hope I'm not done being successful," he added with a smile.
The Orange teen heads to the University of Vermont on a full scholarship in the fall, planning to major in business – perhaps even continuing for a five-year MBA.
"I've always dreamed of working for a sports team, and business seemed to fit right into that," Schmoll said. He especially loves baseball; he's willing to consider being an athletic director at a school some day. I suggest that maybe he'll end up with the Red Sox, but he shakes his head. He's a Phillies fan.
"My Dad was from right outside Philadelphia and he brought that with him," he said.
No matter where he lands in the sports world (if that's where he does end up), Schmoll will certainly come with the qualifications – and not just the academic qualifications. He's a sports nut.
He keeps the stats for Websterville Baptist Christian School boys' basketball games. He has written about sports for various venues, including The Times Argus. And he goes home every day after school and first works on homework, then heads off to whatever Spaulding sports game is taking place, then back home for more homework, and then to bed.
Football, soccer, basketball.
Oh, and the Mountaineers. "That was so much fun … I was there for almost every home game," he said.
Schmoll especially loves watching his younger sister, Darcy, play basketball. He's looking forward to watching her play for U-32 in East Montpelier in the fall (because the teens live in Orange, they can 'tuition' to the high school of their choosing; Darcy chose U-32, where she'll be a freshman).
Despite his physical challenges, Schmoll took on high school with an academic and extra-curricular vengeance.
He has participated in SHS's Scholar's Bowl – a competition with teams of four students academically battling other schools throughout the state. And along with the school's valedictorian, he hosted the Christian Club, which is not school-sponsored but is allowed to meet at SHS.
He was accepted at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., along with one other applicant who uses a wheelchair. And while he liked the school and loved the look of the historic buildings, Schmoll said Dartmouth was not accessible for students who rely on wheels to get around.
"There's nobody on campus in a wheelchair now," he said. While it would be nice to break new ground by attending Dartmouth, he said, it's just too difficult if the school isn't set up for accessibility.
UVM, he added, is extremely accessible.
Did he break new ground at Spaulding, I asked.
"I didn't really notice it," he said of any lack of services at the Barre high school. "Most of my teachers were accepting of it. Obviously, here they've had people in wheelchairs before … still do. People understand that."
For all students, he said of Spaulding, "If you want to do well, there is definitely the opportunity to do well.
"It's a cliché, but I don't give up and I keep working," Schmoll said. "That's pretty much what I do … I work and I study."
Spinal Muscular Atrophy is progressive, a continuous weakening of the muscles. At times, he said, his condition levels out.
Schmoll suffered scoliosis as a result and had his spine fused in 2000. This summer he will travel to Baltimore for two weeks for stomach surgery to correct a problem he has with eating. Later, his family is driving to Florida to spend time with his grandparents there.
"It's a purely physical issue," he said of the illness' symptoms. "Besides the wheelchair, I don't need much. I'm doing pretty good."
Pretty good seems like an understatement from a guy ranked second in his class. Pretty good seems like an understatement for a guy with a warm smile and a warmer personality.
He said he was proud when he heard the announcement over the loud speaker that he was the class salutatorian.
"It's been a lot of work," Schmoll said. But, he added, "It's been fun."
Without a doubt, Schmoll has earned the right to give a speech about success and a standing ovation for his sharp mind, fun spirit and work ethic.
Congratulations Zak Schmoll. And congratulations to all the members of Vermont high schools' Class of 2009.
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