Santa Margarita Catholic High School

 

Grant Yosenick is legally blind – but he doesn't let that stand in his way. The Santa Margarita junior is working his way toward an International Baccalaureate diploma. IB is a rigorous academic program offered at Santa Margarita and select schools across the globe.

 

Santa Margarita's Auxiliary Studies program has helped Grant cope with his condition. The program, which works to meet the various learning needs of students, enlarges the text in Grant's books and occasionally Grant uses the center's testing center so he can better focus.

 

Grant studies Chinese, sings in the choir, plays the keyboard for the school's marching band and has starred in the school's Talon Theatre drama productions. He also serves as a student ambassador and helps to welcome freshman to the school through the school's Link Crew program.

 

Grant hopes to be a professional musician or composer. His photographic memory allows him to easily memorize music. He's also considering a career in international relations where he could use his Chinese.

 

"We have so many opportunities at Santa Margarita. The standards are set high and the teachers are extremely supportive which entices people like me to succeed. I hope my condition shows others that even though life may give you hardships and unfair disadvantages, you can still achieve amazing accomplishments."