2007 Gateway Young Achiever

Farrell Roland in new school, town and state

Most 8th grader Gateway Young Achiever winners go to a new school the next school year. But, 15-year-old Farrell Roland's adjustment has been somewhat bigger.

Last spring, when he won a Young Achiever award, was in St. Joan of Arch School.

But, this fall, he and his family moved to Mesa, Ariz., which is a suburb of Phoenix. His father, Kenneth, a microbiologist, has a job with a new company.

So, this year, Farrell is attending Rhodes Junior High School in Mesa. There, the middle schools go through 9th grade, rather than ending in 8th as in St. Louis.

Farrell Roland

Thus, he's living in a new city and state. "I didn't know anyone in the town or in the school," he told Young Saint Louis.com in a phone interview. And, he didn't get enrolled until the new school year already was underway.

That's set him back a little from getting involved as much as he was in school, church and the community in St. Louis.

Another big adjustment has been in the type of school. "This is my first experience in a public school. Previously, I'd always gone to private schools," he said.

(YSL.com has been covering the Gateway Young Achiever program for several years. This is the first time that we've profiled a winner who had left the St. Louis area.

(And, it took us a little extra time to locate Farrell. Ordinarily, his profile would have been in the December, 2007, edition. But, we're presenting it this month to finish the individual profiles of the 2007 elementary and middle school winners.)

Farrell was extra busy during his time at St. Joan of Arc School.

Last year, he played soccer, basketball and baseball. In 8th grade, he said all three teams qualified for the CYC city championship tournaments.

He also was on the honor roll with a straight A average. He posted the highest scores in both math and science. He also was elected as the 8th grade treasurer.

In addition, he was in the Altar Guild at his church. He read the liturgy at services in school and also played the harmonica during programs by the school choir.

During the summers, he volunteered at a Tri-Art Camp, which schooled younger kids in triathlon sports such as running, swimming and bicycling. The kids also received training in studio arts, such as clay and fiber.

This year, his tryout for his new school's basketball team wasn't successful. But, he said, "I'm going to try baseball in the spring. I'll also be in choir in the second semester."

He also said he'll join an after-school basketball program in January.

Since the sequence of math teaching in Arizona is different, he hasn't been able to get as involved in that subject, which is one of his favorites.

About his intense interest in science and math, he said, "My dad talked with me about science but I developed my math interest on my own."

About his new home setting, Farrell said, "We live in a nice-looking subdivision and I've made a few new friends." But, he admitted that he's still making adjustments to the move. "It's taken some getting used to," he said.

But, his plans for future schooling and a career haven't changed. And his choices of colleges have broadened somewhat.

Farrell said he wants to work in the medical field. "I'd like to be either in medical engineering or internal medicine," he said. His father works in developing new vaccines.

About college, he said he had been planning to attend in St. Louis. He's still interested in doing that but he said Arizona also had some good colleges and universities.

He said another activity area he's considering in his new home is volunteering at a veterinary clinic. He said that would be a start toward getting into the medical field.

If his past record of achievement, as outlined in his Young Achiever nomination form, is an example, Farrell is likely to solve this problem of moving to an unfamiliar location.

Teacher Rosemarie Guarino at St. Joan of Arc School said, "Farrell's leadership role has covered many important aspects of his life and education. Farrell is trustworthy, responsible and a true leader.

"Farrell generously gives his time and effort to support what he really believes."

Farrell got a chance to reconnect with his St. Louis friends last month. He flew back from Phoenix to spend about 10 days in the St. Louis area during the holidays.

Then, it was back to his new home and getting involved as he was in St. Louis.