Self Help for Hard of Hearing
June 2013
SCHOLARSHIP NEWS EDITION
Our chapter is proud to present two impressive scholarship recipients for this year. These two
seniors qualified by working hard and being involved in their community and school. We are
honored to have Derek Lee and Lucas Cook as our 2013 Scholarship Recipients!!
DEREK LEE
2013 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
By Earl Mizuguchi
Derek Lee is another outstanding recent graduate from Gunn High School. Over the years, the
chapter has recognized a number of accomplished scholarship recipients from this institution.
Having had a hearing impairment since age two, Derek credits his parents in guiding him to
normalcy and developing a love for music and language. He was introduced to the piano and
attended Chinese Language School at an early age. Upon entering middle school, he began
playing the viola, and also took up Spanish. Thus, prior to entering high school, Derek was not
only an accomplished musician, but also tri-lingual with a good working knowledge of English,
Spanish and Chinese.
Derek’s community activities include weekly concert performances for seniors of Lytton Gardens,
a multi-care senior facility located in Palo Alto. Additionally, he serves on the Youth Advisory
Council of Silicon Valley Independent Living Center where he performs music for young hearing
impaired children. He also has inspired others by making presentations to American Cancer
Society Relay for Life, bone marrow transplant reunions and graduation ceremonies.
Derek has performed well academically, maintaining an overall 3.925 GPA. Additionally, he has
enrolled in Advanced Placement courses in Spanish, Music Theory, Calculus, Psychology, US
History and Physics. He was chosen for World Language Award in Spanish 3 and served on the
Spanish Club where he assisted fellow students as a tutor. Due to his outstanding work in
Spanish, he was selected to attend the school’s Spanish Camp.
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Teachers and counselors describe Derek as being patient, respectful and an extremely hard
worker. His classwork is thorough, creative, and display a strong desire to learn the subject
matter. Moreover, due to his early struggle with a rare disease and his subsequent loss of hearing,
his philosophy of “living each day as if it were your last” serves as an inspiration for all.
Derek will attend Stanford University this fall where he plans to study bio-engineering or biology.
Congratulations and best wishes to Derek!
LUCAS COOK
2013 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
By Earl Mizuguchi
Lucas Cook, through hard work and determination is being recognized as one of our 2013
Scholarship Recipients. He is the second student to be recognized from Live Oak High School
since 2001.
Lucas has had a hearing impairment since birth and underwent his first cochlear implant at the
age of three. He has since gone bi-lateral having his second implant after his first year in high
school.
After attending a program for deaf and hard of hearing at Oster School, Lucas made the transition
to a local neighborhood school, Nordstrom, at the age of 5. With the assistance of a classroom aid
until the 4th grade, Lucas was able to keep pace with his peers in a classroom environment. He
continued this independence for the remainder of his academic years.
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As a youngster, Lucas enjoyed sports, participating in baseball, basketball and soccer. In high
school, he began playing football and joined the wrestling team. He was chosen captain for the
football team. When he played football, he devised ways to secure his implant inside his helmet to
better communicate with his teammates, coaches and other individuals. In wrestling, not having
this option, he relied on hand signals to communicate.
In addition to sports, Lucas was elected to the School’s Student Government as their Associated
Student Body Treasurer. He served on the Homecoming Committee, coordinating the parade and
assisting in construction of the senior class float.
Over the years, Lucas got involved with volunteer work and paid employment. He has worked in
various jobs such as the bike shop facilities department; demolition and salvaging business;
cashiering and stocking at Hollister Clothing Company; and valet driver with Corinthian
International Parking Service. He also did volunteer and seasonal work at the Morgan Hill
Outdoor Sports Complex.
Academically, Lucas maintained an overall 2.80 GPA. He plans to enroll at De Anza College prior
to transferring to a 4 year college where he’ll study either Environmental Science or Business
Administration.
Congratulations and best of luck to Lucas!
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Chapter BBQ and Potluck
Date: AUGUST 3RD, 2013
Saturday at 11:00 am
Join Us for a Backyard Summer BBQ and Potluck at Lynne and Stephen’s Place
Hamburgers and Hotdogs will be provided for Lunch
Please bring a Side dish or Dessert to share with Everyone
RSVP is Appreciated but not Required
Still Come Anyway if You Don't RSVP and/or Can’t Bring a Dish
Lynne and Stephen Kinsey
647 Calpella Drive
San Jose, CA 95136
408-265-4038
[email protected]
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