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Champlin Park student Joseph Gaskill wins Horatio Alger scholarship
On a perpetual journey of discovery and wonder, Joseph Gaskill happily navigates life’s winding roads.
Though those roads have been peppered with rocky obstacles, sharp and biting attacks and steep declines the Champlin Park High School (CPHS) graduating senior persevered with unwavering determination.
“Joe stretches himself academically completing honors and International Baccalaureate classes (and) consistently achieving the A honor roll while maintaining a 4.06 GPA … I cannot tell you how very proud I am of this young man,” said MaryBeth Elhardt, academic student advisor for the Indian Education Program, a program in which Gaskill has been a member since fifth grade.
Gaskill’s determined quest for a lifetime of learning earned the 2017 graduate a $10,000 Horatio Alger scholarship, awarded in recognition of his “commendable commitment to continuing his education and serving the community despite facing significant adversary.”
For Gaskill, adversary comes in the form of a dysfunctional family, one in which his native American father is absent and his mother has “taken the wrong path,” he said.
“There is a disconnect there but my motto is ‘Just try to try.’ You’ve got to work for someone and if no one, just work for myself,” Gaskill said, describing the source of his motivation to succeed.
The Anoka-Hennepin scholar is one of 577 graduating Minnesota high school seniors to receive the prestigious Horatio Alger award this year.
Accepted into the honors program at Augsburg College, Gaskill said he plans to use the scholarship to help fund his study in education or something in the math/science field.
Asked which were among his favorite high school courses, Gaskill said he really likes English and math.
“And I like science, but I’m not terribly good at it,” he said, citing his B+ grade as a symptom of “failure."
“I like to do good on things, but I really like to learn. I’ll be learning my whole life,” Gaskill said.
Gaskill said his participation in Anoka-Hennepin School District’s Indian Education Program was another avenue on his lifelong journey toward discovery.
“It’s a way to figure things out, to get information and inspiration, to learn about my culture,” he said. “With a white mom and a native dad I see myself as a white guy but I have an under root of native. I’m always seeking my roots, my heritage. It’s frightening, it’s exciting, it’s hard, but it pays off."
Gaskill wrote an essay as part of the application process for the Horatio Alger Scholarship application and said he “definitely put my heart into it.”
“It’s about adversaries in my life … It’s something of a cry for help, but this is how my life is and this is how I’m going to change it,” said Gaskill, whose senior year included recognition as an Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America as well as the Horatio Alger scholarship award.
Here is that essay:
Tony Novelly, chairman of the Horatio Alger Association and himself a 2000 Horatio Alger scholarship recipient, congratulated the 2017 winners.
“These young men and women have triumphed in the face of some of life’s most difficult challenges, proving that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. The association is proud to support this impressive group of students as they pursue success in college and beyond,” Novelly said.
Though those roads have been peppered with rocky obstacles, sharp and biting attacks and steep declines the Champlin Park High School (CPHS) graduating senior persevered with unwavering determination.
“Joe stretches himself academically completing honors and International Baccalaureate classes (and) consistently achieving the A honor roll while maintaining a 4.06 GPA … I cannot tell you how very proud I am of this young man,” said MaryBeth Elhardt, academic student advisor for the Indian Education Program, a program in which Gaskill has been a member since fifth grade.
Gaskill’s determined quest for a lifetime of learning earned the 2017 graduate a $10,000 Horatio Alger scholarship, awarded in recognition of his “commendable commitment to continuing his education and serving the community despite facing significant adversary.”
For Gaskill, adversary comes in the form of a dysfunctional family, one in which his native American father is absent and his mother has “taken the wrong path,” he said.
“There is a disconnect there but my motto is ‘Just try to try.’ You’ve got to work for someone and if no one, just work for myself,” Gaskill said, describing the source of his motivation to succeed.
The Anoka-Hennepin scholar is one of 577 graduating Minnesota high school seniors to receive the prestigious Horatio Alger award this year.
Accepted into the honors program at Augsburg College, Gaskill said he plans to use the scholarship to help fund his study in education or something in the math/science field.
Asked which were among his favorite high school courses, Gaskill said he really likes English and math.
“And I like science, but I’m not terribly good at it,” he said, citing his B+ grade as a symptom of “failure."
“I like to do good on things, but I really like to learn. I’ll be learning my whole life,” Gaskill said.
Gaskill said his participation in Anoka-Hennepin School District’s Indian Education Program was another avenue on his lifelong journey toward discovery.
“It’s a way to figure things out, to get information and inspiration, to learn about my culture,” he said. “With a white mom and a native dad I see myself as a white guy but I have an under root of native. I’m always seeking my roots, my heritage. It’s frightening, it’s exciting, it’s hard, but it pays off."
Gaskill wrote an essay as part of the application process for the Horatio Alger Scholarship application and said he “definitely put my heart into it.”
“It’s about adversaries in my life … It’s something of a cry for help, but this is how my life is and this is how I’m going to change it,” said Gaskill, whose senior year included recognition as an Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America as well as the Horatio Alger scholarship award.
Here is that essay:
Plumes of exhaust suffocated my nostrils as cars drove past the curb where I sat. Sensing the pungent cannabis in the air, I tilted my head backwards looking towards the dead grassy ground, the grimy, rusted car seats, and the steps of misfortune I called home. It was the last time I ever heard the dancing glass of the addicted pipe taunt the window of opportunity; just echoing in unison within my ear drum. Survival on this curb harshly spelled out two things: Either I surrendered towards the alluring weed and its promise of perfect-illusion, or I stepped from expectation to reach a door untainted by the stench of street and selfishness into a world of beliefs and movement.Passing through that door was only part of this lifelong battle, for through it, I emerged alone onto a cold stage. Viewing skeptical faces, and hesitant camera flashes, I formed knots of distrust encumbering my stomach. I spoke awkwardly over words riddled in fear, but funneling the audience’s presence behind me created ease. With an assured breath I spoke, “On my honor, I will do my best…” The Boy Scout’s oath awakened inspiration within me; proving to the audience that this Eagle can soar. Being surrounded by hindering travesties, I have learned that even a rat cornered by filth and greed can choose the path less traveled by.
Tony Novelly, chairman of the Horatio Alger Association and himself a 2000 Horatio Alger scholarship recipient, congratulated the 2017 winners.
“These young men and women have triumphed in the face of some of life’s most difficult challenges, proving that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. The association is proud to support this impressive group of students as they pursue success in college and beyond,” Novelly said.