Turlock High School senior Kenneth Beard is a remarkable young man with a fascinating array of interest. This month he was selected as the Turlock Unified School District Character Counts Award recipient for September’s theme of responsibility.
Kenneth is actively involved on campus as a four-year member of the Journalism Club and he serves as Editor-In-Chief for Yearbook. Kenneth confesses he finds working in journalism and the yearbook exciting because he gets to experience all the school activities at THS. He also finds them tedious because he has to individually type names and captions for the entire yearbook.
“Mr. Beard is one of the most intelligent and motivated students I have ever had the pleasure of teaching” said THS Journalism and Yearbook adviser Virginia Barr. “His abilities to work well under pressure and with others make him a wonderful Editor-In-Chief for the school yearbook. Over the last three years I have seen Mr. Beard work diligently with other students in a variety of projects, the success of each was greatly attributed to Mr. Beard’s diligence. He has proven to be a true leader who strives not only to accomplish the task at hand but to do so in such a way that those who work under him feel the benefits. Indeed, Mr. Beard has a true talent for inspiring others to greatness.”
Kenneth is currently enrolled at Poynter News University’s certificate training program and he is in his third semester at Modesto Junior College, majoring in Human Services.
For his career, Kenneth would like to become a funeral director. He recently completed a program offered at the National Academy of Mortuary Science. As if this wasn’t enough, he volunteers at both the Turlock Museum and the Old German Baptist Cemetery in Modesto as a caretaker.
When he is not doing school or volunteer-related activities he enjoys participating in living history reenactments and also custom sews his outfits including hats, jackets and leather works for the era he portrays. Kenneth is very close to his family and a devoted student.
“With all of the stated above information, I feel obligated to say that none of this level of responsibility and perseverance both academically and in extra-curricular activities would have been possible if it wasn’t for the exceptional staff at Turlock High School. The 19 THS teachers that I have been privileged to have been instructed by, had taught me the academics necessary to be successful and the guiding transition from an ordinary student, such as myself, into a knowledgeable adolescent prepared for the continued rigors of college ahead. THIS is unique, because to met he school redefined what teaching is, by going a step further to insure that each student needs are met and accomplishment is attained with the students’ compliance. I for the past three years have witnessed firsthand the exceptional quality of our educators, and not only am I appreciative for them being part of my life, but I am also inspired to reach for higher goals because of their guidance and enthusiasm towards furthering our education. I am proud to say that I attended THS, but more so I am proud of the knowledge and skills that I continually develop while in attendance,” said Kenneth.
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