Rochester Star Student Born Deaf Is A 'True Success Story'

ROCHESTER, MI — Star Students are found in classrooms, on concert and theater stages and at debate lecterns, and out in the community doing good things to make life better for all of us.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize Star Students, and we’re working to tell the stories of these outstanding kids to their neighbors.

This submission comes from Lori Baggot who nominated her son Benjamin, 11th grade of Rochester-Rochester Hills.

Star local student’s name

Benjamin 11th grade

Star local student’s home state

Michigan

How do you know the star local student?

Parent

Why do you believe the star local student should be recognized?

Benjamin is deaf and has bilateral cochlear implants which allow him to hear. Born deaf, Ben has worked really hard to listen and learn and presently, is a straight "A" student at his mainstream high school. Children born deaf usually do not read above a 4th grade level. Ben is a true success story and reflects the hard work and dedication he puts in to do well in school. He has to work above and beyond his normal, hearing peers since he relies on man-made hearing. Ben never complains and speaks like every other hearing student, having the benefit of being one of the youngest to ever be bilaterally implanted at 8 months old. Ben is a reflection of the miracle of modern medicine and ingenuity and a testament to hard work.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the star local student?

How he has overcome obstacles in his life and how diverse he is in a sea of students at his high school.

Congratulations on your achievements, and all of our best wishes to you in the future,Benjamin 11th grade!

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