By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Between science fair geniuses, all-star athletes and drama queens, it can be easy for a high-schooler to feel lost in the mix — especially if a student has to overcome unusual odds and hard life situations.
But for 12 students at Plant City High School, it was a proud day when they were recognized with the Jan Henrick Achievement Award Nov. 10, at the Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City.
The Jan Henrick Achievement Award was established in 2002. Henrick had worked with students all her life. She was a guidance counselor and swim coach in the Plant City area before continuing her career in Tampa.
Henrick died after a battle with cancer in 2004. Her husband, Kevin Bohne, and his company, Florida Gas and Electric Corporation, have started fundraising events, such as an annual golf tournament, to keep the award alive. Four golfers from the Plant City High School girls golf team were invited to participate this year.
Students from Plant City High School, Wharton High School and Pasco High School are eligible to win the award. Students are nominated by teachers who notice their good behavior, grades and potential. Twelve students are chosen from each school and given a $150 Walmart gift card and a dinner with two guests at the awards ceremony.
“I was really, really surprised, because I don’t win a lot of awards, and I don’t really pay attention to that kind of stuff,” freshman Kindle Vandyne said.
When Vandyne told her grandmother, Ella, of her win, she was so proud and told her mother, as well.
When Vandyn was about 7 years old, her mother took her and her two sisters from her father after fearing she would lose custody of her children. Vandyn’s mother moved them to Florida with a new boyfriend, who wasn’t nice to the sisters, according to Vandyn. Now, Vandyn lives with her grandparents.
“Whenever I lived with my mom and her boyfriend, I didn’t really try,” Vandyn said. “But when I got this award, I wanted to be all I could be.”
Vandyn has interest in the arts and sciences. She has been painting with her mother since she was younger, and she learned to play bass guitar from her uncle. Vandyn also plays piano. One day, she would like to be an astrophysicist, because of her love of space.
Vandyn also watches out for her 12-year-old sister. She straighteners her hair in the morning and finishes it off with a hair bow. She also serves as her tutor for science and math.
Vandyn wants to buy Christmas for her family with the $150 gift card that accompanied the award. In her thank-you note to Bohne, she wrote:
“[My mother] is living with her father-in-law, and I don’t see her often,” she wrote. “I thought, for once in my mom’s life, she should be able to wake up and have gifts under the tree to open on Christmas morning. I am trying my hardest to be the best I can.”
Plant City High School College and Career Counselor Sherrie Mueller was present, along with Della Warner, a social studies teacher, during the award presentation.
“I’m hoping it will motivate them and have them continue on a successful path,” Mueller said of the award. “It is rather touching.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
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