Meet The 2006 "Beat the Odds" Honorees

Westenley Alcenat's fellow Southwest High School students call him the "kid who always smiles." However, his constant optimism and infectious grin belie a past where he "grew accustomed to seeing dead bodies, and hearing rapes from the neighbor's door."

Westenley grew up in Haiti, where violence and political unrest turned playgrounds into battlefields and his childhood into a series of unimaginable horrors. At age 6, soldiers killed his parents. His grandparents raised, protected, and comforted him and finally sought to give him a less chaotic life in the United States. While awaiting clearance of his visa, Westenley was left behind with distant relatives. For four years he waited, crying every day, not understanding why he was alone. Finally, he was cleared to enter the United States and reunited with his grandparents and other family members. Westenley recently became a citizen.

Westenley attends Southwest High School, greeting each day with enthusiasm. Although his family has very little, he feels fortunate to be receiving an education and opportunities in the United States that he wants to repay by helping others. Writing poetry gives him the freedom to pour out his feelings about his past, his hopes for the future, and his views on society. He volunteers at hospitals and schools working with immigrant and inner city kids. Westenley challenges himself with rigorous courses and maintains a 3.2 GPA. He wishes to attend Macalester College, graduate school, and pursue a career in health care. His ultimate goal is to return to Haiti, or travel to Africa, to share his smile and help others to succeed.

Katherine DeSantis has been homeless seven times in her life. She remembers only wanting a stable home life and the luxury of a quiet place to study. However, the consequences of family violence, emotional stress, and poverty caused her to miss out on much of her childhood. At age four, Katie witnessed her drunken father beating her mother. When her battered mom crawled in to bed with her, Katie consoled her telling her it would be okay. But it never was. Her mom finally escaped the abuse when she moved Katie and her little sister to Minnesota, where different challenges awaited.

Poverty frequently forced the family into homelessness. Katie longed for a better life and knew that education was the key to her future. But finding a place to study in shelters while watching over her little sister made schoolwork difficult. Despite all the moves and challenges, Katie remained steadfast in her goal to succeed. She says, "I made a promise that I would do whatever possible to get into college and make a better life for myself."

Katie maintains a 3.4 GPA at Minneapolis Washburn High School, participates in student council, National Honor Society, drama, choir, Gay Straight Alliance, GLBT support group, and varsity cheerleading. She is passionate about singing, and politics, and her dream is to attend Boston University to earn a double degree in Political Science and Sociology.

Pang Kou Yang grew up longing for comfort and love but her schizophrenic mother was incapable of providing it. Her father tended to his eight children but Pang could not "talk to him about the things in her life that a mother is supposed to guide her through."

Five years ago, her mom's illness worsened. While Pang's father picked up his children at school, her mother locked herself in the house, killed Pang's two youngest sisters and attempted suicide. Today, with her mom hospitalized, her father working and many younger siblings to help care for, Pang feels great responsibilities at home. Instead of giving in, she works hard to fulfill the role of a mother. She says, "I am the oldest child in the family I have to lead the way because if I don't, there would be nobody else."

Pang excels at Highland Park High School with a 3.96 GPA, participates in Asian Club, tennis, volleyball, badminton. She also takes classes at Concordia College, volunteers, and works. Pang was honored for perfect attendance, is a member of the A honor roll, has earned the Presidential Award, and lettered in varsity tennis.

Though her father speaks limited English and did not attend college, he encourages Pang to study hard and further her education. Her dream is to attend Hawaii Pacific University and become a physician. She describes herself as quiet, hard working and patient. She wants to be a "role model" for her younger siblings to keep them in school and out of gangs, so they too, achieve their dreams.

Rance Palmer grew up watching his mother succumb to alcoholism. Ashamed and embarrassed, he never brought friends home, and painfully watched her return from work each day, drinking until she passed out. She somehow realized the grave consequences of her alcoholism and checked herself into a rehabilitation program. Four months into her sobriety, Rance's stepfather died unexpectedly. Rance not only lost the father he always wanted, but the financial security his stepfather provided.

In addition to the challenge of sobriety, Rance's mom was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The illness makes it difficult for her to maintain a steady job. She was forced to sell their home, move them into a mobile home, and find a way to deal with poverty. Remarkably, the bond between Rance and his mom has strengthened.

In addition to his family problems, Rance struggles with issues of identity as a young gay man, and he has been the target of insults and stereotypes. Still, Rance challenges himself to wear his identity proudly, and is successful in his many endeavors. At Patrick Henry High School, Rance maintains a 3.7 GPA, participates in Math Club, Gay Straight Alliance, National Honor Society, Student Council, Drama Club, Admission Possible, newspaper, and finds time to work and volunteer. He is passionate about performing and using performance to inspire people. He hopes to study theatre or Asian Studies at Hampshire College.