Update: a great story from the Times about the Ballard valedictorian this year. Mikael Perla got diagnosed with leukemia in the middle of his freshman year. He spent two grueling years fighting it off (with steroids causing him to have diabetes). He could have taken time off to fight but he continued his studies. Don't mistake Perla's persistence for arrogance. He credits his top grades to hard work and teachers who tutored him. He doesn't mention that he practically taught himself the language and math of chemistry from textbooks in bed, that he turned in every homework assignment, that he came in after school to do labs when he would be less likely to catch germs from classmates, reluctantly accepting his mom as his lab partner. Mikael Perla will attend the University of Washington in the fall after completing a summer program in engineering. He's considering a career in medicine. Good luck, Mikael - you have lots ...
