Jacquie's Gold Stars

Each month I honor an individual, team, program, school, or piece of legislation that is helping to promote a quality education for kids. I welcome your nomination for this honor, and I will consider thoughtfully any name(s) you recommend. You can use the "Contact " link to make a nomination. Please explain why you think your nominee should be honored, and let me know how I can contact you for verification. And if you're one of a group that has gone the extra mile, tell me know about it. It doesn't hurt to blow your own horn once in awhile. And besides, nobody will ever accuse you of bragging because I don't ever reveal the nominator's name.

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It's heartwarming to hear about someone who has overcome huge challenges and gone on to accomplish great things, but Patrick Hughes's story is more than heartwarming. His is a story of determination, accomplishment, gratitude, and inspiration. And it's a story I wish every student in America should see. To help fulfill my wish, you can show your students http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xwCG0Ey2Mg. It will serve as an encouragement for the students who have disabilities, and a motivator for those who don't.

Patrick Henry Hughes was born March 10, 1988 to Patrick John and Patricia Hughes. His medical anomolies were evident at birth. The ultimate diagnosis was bilateral anophtholmia with pterygium syndrome and congenital bilateral hip displasia. Simply put, Patrick is blind and unable to walk. But those conditions have not deterred Patrick Henry Hughes one little bit — no siree.

"God made me blind — big deal," says Patrick. "He gave me the talent to play piano and trumpet and all that good stuff. I'm the kind of person that's always going to fight till I win," he said. "That's my main objective. I'm gonna fight till I win." That is Patrick's philosophy, and he wants people to know it. He isn't fazed by what most of us would consider insurmountable obstacles. Patrick's father, Patrick John Hughes, introduced him to the piano at the age of nine months. Patrick has studied piano since that time, and later took up the trumpet. He graduated from Atherton High School (situated in the Highlands district of Louisville) where he participated in the International Baccalaureate program and was a member of the National Honor Society. He is continuing his education at the University of Louisville where he majors in Spanish and plays trumpet in the MARCHING band.

How is that possible? Patrick Henry's father attends every practice and every performance and pushes Patrick, seated in his wheel chair, through the manuvers and the young man plays his trumpet. Amazing? Absolutely. (You can see all of this in the video referred to above, but be sure to have a box of tissues handy.)

The father and son marching duo drew media attention throughout the fall football season, and ultimately brought national fame to the young man who is determined to fight till he wins. He has been invited to play piano and sing in musical performances throughout the country, including performances at the Grand Ole Opry, and onstage performances with Bryan White, Chad Brock, Faith Hill, Lane Brody, Lonestar and Pam Tillis. In 2007 he played solo trumpet on stage in performance with the Louisville orchestra. Not bad for a blind kid who can't walk, right?

Patrick Henry Hughes, you have accomplished far more in twenty-two years than most of us do in a lifetime. Thanks for showing us that anything is possible when you give it your all and refuse to give up. It's a powerful lesson for students, and a powerful lesson for teachers.