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Almeda Fireplace sufferer considered one of 35 native recipients of Amy’s Kitchen scholarships
Phoenix Excessive College graduate Adriel Gamez is heading to Oregon State College with the assistance of a scholarship from Amy’s Kitchen. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune]
As somebody who is aware of what it’s prefer to take care of sports activities accidents, Phoenix Excessive College graduate Adriel Gamez has a cause to maintain on working, not just for train with the monitor workforce he coaches, however within the sport of life.
Gamez is considered one of 35 native recipients of scholarships from Amy’s Kitchen, given to youngsters of staff to assist them pay for the price of increased training.
Total, the corporate gave $150,000 in scholarships in 2022 to 100 college students in Southern Oregon, Pocatello, Idaho, and Petaluma, San Jose and Santa Rosa, California — locations the place Amy’s Kitchen holds places of work and cooks its meals.
Gamez will begin college at Oregon State College in Corvallis subsequent month, majoring in kinesiology.
“I’m actually serious about making an attempt to make that clean transition as a result of I’ve had numerous adjustments in my life,” mentioned Gamez, who was briefly displaced as a result of Almeda Fireplace in 2020. “This 12 months’s a little bit completely different. … It’s positively going to be a little bit scary, however I’m actually excited to develop extra impartial. I’m positively able to tackle this problem.”
Courses at OSU start Sept. 21. Gamez’s $1,500 scholarship from Amy’s Kitchen can pay for the price of important objects, from textbooks to pens.
“It’s actually taken a load off of me, so I’m very grateful,” mentioned Gamez, who’s the recipient of different scholarships.
His mom, Catalina Gamez, is a so-called gentle lifter for Amy’s Kitchen, placing toppings and different parts on meals alongside the plant’s meeting line. She has labored for the natural meals firm for 11 years.
Catalina mentioned the scholarship program is “a giant assist for us.”
“I’m a single mother or father, so for me to have the ability to pay for his training, I don’t suppose I’d be capable to cowl it,” Catalina mentioned. “So, it means lots to me and lots to him as a result of he actually needs to go to school.”
Gamez mentioned he turned focused on kinesiology as a result of he had numerous sports activities accidents, resulting in a lot of restoration time with the assistance of an athletic coach.
“A few stretches and fast workouts actually made my working higher than I may have imagined in a extremely quick time,” Gamez mentioned. “I didn’t have ache in locations the place I used to have it. I may simply take pleasure in my life much more.”
His research may lead him to medical or enterprise college to offer him the abilities he wants to begin his personal observe, he mentioned.
“Our bodily remedy (business) is fairly robust down right here,” Gamez mentioned.
At Phoenix Excessive College, Gamez was often called a talented member of the speech and debate workforce all 4 years, in line with his mentor, Celine Farrimond, instructor of enterprise and advertising.
“I actually keep in mind Adriel’s tenacity and his pleasure about the whole lot that was occurring round him — at the same time as a freshman,” Farrimond mentioned. “He actually persevered and cared about his training, it doesn’t matter what the circumstances had been.”
Gamez even certified for state championships, however couldn’t compete on account of a bout of COVID-19.
“Adriel actually attacked any problem or query that we had been coping with, with an open thoughts,” Farrimond mentioned. “A variety of the time, you’re assigned a facet to an argument, and it’s a must to do what you possibly can with what you’ve got at that time. That’s actually emblematic of Adriel’s persona; he can do lots with what he’s given.”
Submit highschool, Farrimond needs nothing however the most effective for her former scholar.
“It’s an enormous accomplishment in his life, for positive, and it wasn’t with out some roadblocks in the best way, and he overcame the whole lot that was thrown at him,” Farrimond mentioned. “He all the time maintained that kindness and compassion for others, and I do know he’s going to proceed to do this at Oregon State College.”
Gamez’s mom echoed Farrimond’s feedback. “I can’t say something dangerous about him,” she mentioned, although she admits she’ll be a little bit unhappy when he leaves for Corvallis.
“I’m right here for him to help him on no matter he needs to do,” Catalina mentioned. “I do know he’s going to do nice. He’s my child. He all the time targeted on what he needs to do, so I feel he’s going to have the ability to do it.”
Attain reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or kopsahl@rosebudmedia.com. Comply with him on Twitter @KevJourno.
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