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(L-R) Councilwoman Yvonne Arceneaux, Councilwoman Lillie Dobson, Councilman Dr. Willie O. Jones, Gloria Vasquez-mother, Luis Escareno, Sydney Ritchey-Burnett-Emerson Principal, Kenneth Gutierrez-brother, BJ Douglas-United Rangers President, Councilwoman Barbara J. Calhoun, and Mayor Eric J. Perrodin.
Certificate of Special Academic Achievement
During a presentation at Compton City Hall, Mayor Eric J. Perrodin and members of the city council applauded third grader Luis Escareno for successfully beating the odds and quickly discovered that young student was not shy to public speaking as he gladly accepted the microphone and announced that he was proud of himself, and thanked his mother and older brother for helping him learn.
Councilman Dr. Willie O. Jones proudly announced District 4-the student of the month for April, Emerson Elementary School third grade student, Luis Escareno. Luis is quite an amazing and determined student. He has overcome some pretty unbelievable obstacles. As an infant, he experienced brain trauma causing him to have seizures, developmental delays, and speech problems to name a few of them. He was diagnosed with autism at 2 1/2 years old and placed in a Special Day Class (SDC) for children with autism at Bursch Elementary School. Because of his progress, he was placed at Emerson Elementary School in kindergarten with Ms. Williams who taught kindergarten, first, second and third grade SDC. At the end of first grade he was exited from SDC and placed into a general education second grade class where he received special education RSP services. Now Luis is in the third grade and has just been reclassified. He is no longer receiving special education services. Now he is receiving 100% general education services, as he is testing on a high third, low forth grade level. Luis and his classmates will receive a pizza / ice cream party compliments of BJ Douglas, president – United Rangers of America.
A veteran educator, Councilman Jones said, “Our children are our future and education is so important. It is important that we take the time to reward our children for their hard work and academic accomplishments. I am very proud of Luis for his amazing accomplishments. He is the product of a loving family and supportive teachers who never stopped believing in him. I hope that when other parents, teachers and children view this council meeting or read this article, they will be inspired by Luis’ story of success and motivated to work harder to achieve success of their own.”
Principal of Emerson Elementary School, Sydney Ritchey-Burnett said, “We are extremely proud of Luis’ remarkable transformation and his resilience towards excellence. Thus, we present him as a shining example that his personal tenacity, along with his mother, brother, and his amazing teachers, that it truly takes a village to raise a child.”
