If you’ve walked the halls of Wheeling Park High School, you’ve probably seen this sweet soul walking around!
Michael Tran is a senior at Wheeling Park, as well as a member of our SUCCEED department. To know Michael is to love him; he is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet!
Mrs. Dionne Cox is a teacher in the SUCCEED department, and has been one of Michael’s teachers since he started his time at The Palace on the Hill. She has seen a lot of progress in him since the two first met.
“Way back in the day, Michael would escape, and in our world we call that eloping. So Michael has moved from being someone who elopes to being a student who is engaging in the world around him,” said Miss Dionne.
Michael is an A student, as well as a student aide with Miss Margo down in the ISS room. This is when we typically see Michael out and about; he is delivering newspapers everyday – sometimes, even by himself!
“Anything that you ask Michael to do, he’ll do,” said Miss Dionne.
Recently, Michael competed in CASA’s 5k walk, and brought home first place. CASA helps to provide volunteers for abused and neglected children involved in the court system, helping them find permanent, safe homes. Their annual 5k Walk/Run helps to benefit the children they advocate for, as well as help find Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA’s).
Aides Miss Emma and Miss Kaisha went with Michael on this special day.
“Michael was a superstar, he kind of led the way. I was in the back of the pack, making sure there were no stragglers … Michael set the pace,” said Miss Emma.
“Michael’s a superstar when it comes to walking,” said Miss Kaisha.
In fact, Michael’s love and passion for walking has given the inspiration for him to hopefully be a member of the cross country team.
“He’s the inspiration for a club that we would like to start next year, a walking club, called Audacity in Motion,” said Miss Dionne.
Outside of his incredible walking skills and growth, he’s also just the type of person you want to be around. He brightens the room wherever he goes.
“His sense of humor, he’s funny. He knows what gets on Sasha’s [another aide in the SUCCEED department] nerves, so he’ll do it quietly until she notices,” said Miss Emma.
One of the biggest sources of growth everyone has seen in Michael is his engagement. If you know him and see him in the hallway, he will come up to you for a fist bump. That’s just the kind of person Michael is.
“He is a star in every area,” said Miss Dionne.
As mentioned before, he is a student aide. But, he has also helped the cafeteria workers to clean tables, as well as help run the makerspace in the ILC, and does an awesome job at helping to prep materials.
Last year, Michael was my classmate in my Radio/TV class. Everyday he would greet me with a “Hi Will” and a fist bump. I can personally say that he did an amazing job not only reporting on the radio but also being in front of the camera as well. He was also always excited and willing to go get an interview.
All in all, Michael Tran is a standout student here at Wheeling Park High School. Whether it’s delivering newspapers, going on the radio, cleaning and prepping, or even a 5k, Michael will always be there to lend a helping hand and a good laugh.
Congratulations again to Michael on his recent win!
