Community Corner
Whiz Kid: Grant Yosenick
This kid doesn't let his disability stand in the way of achieving success and following his dreams.
Whiz Kid: Grant Yosenick
School/Grade: Santa Margarita Catholic High School, 11th grade
Residence: Laguna Niguel
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Parents: Jay and Carol Yosenick
Whiz Kid Accomplishment: Though visually impaired, Grant maintains a 4.5 grade-point average as he works toward an International Baccalaureate diploma, sings, acts, plays the piano and violin, serves as a student ambassador and will soon star in the school’s upcoming musical production.
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Key to Awesomeness: Grant Yosenick was born with a rare visual disorder that renders him legally blind. He has not let his disability stop him on his path toward success. A junior at SMCHS, Grant maintains a 4.5 GPA in honors classes as he works toward an International Baccalaureate diploma. IB is a rigorous academic program offered at SMCHS and select schools across the globe. Grant uses the Auxiliary Studies program offered by the school; through this program, the text in his books is enlarged to help him read it more easily.
Grant’s achievements don’t end in the classroom. He is a student ambassador and member of the school’s Link Crew program, which helps ease the leap into high school by providing freshmen with a warm welcome and upperclassmen mentors. Though Grant’s visual impairment makes it difficult for him to play sports, he has chosen to pursue many other extracurricular activities on campus. Grant sings in the choir, plays the keyboard for the school’s marching band and stars in the school’s Talon Theatre drama productions. Grant is preparing to star as Noah in the upcoming musical Children of Eden.
Grant takes his singing ability off campus as well. He was recently a top 10 finalist in the Orange County Register’s “Oh Say Can You Sing” contest; the prize was a trip to Canada and a chance to sing the national anthem for an Anaheim Ducks game.
Grant would like to major in international business in college and possibly work with the country of China; he is taking Chinese classes at school. He most likely will carry a double major in music performance, carrying his love for numbers and music into his college career.
Grant is a wonderful model of perseverance despite setbacks. His unwavering commitment to his studies and activities is admired by both his peers and teachers, making him an outstanding example of excellence.
