Success Story: Cary Dunne, '06 Alum
Cary Dunne was one of our older students who went on to attend a four-year college and is now working full time. Here is his story:
My name is Cary Dunne and I am a 21 year old senior at Menlo College who has multiple learning disabilities. I am a collegiate athlete and I have made the Dean’s list every semester. In recognition of my academic success I have been awarded multiple scholarships. I am active in clubs and I volunteer for a number of organizations including the Boys and Girls Club of America. I have worked for West Marine in Sausalito for 3 years. None of this would have been possible if it were not for Star Academy.
Before Star I was a scared, frustrated, and disappointed kid. I had been to three schools that could not help me in the way I needed to be helped. Though I was told that I was smart, I couldn’t see why. I struggled with basic reading, writing, and math. I would ask myself:
“ If I am smart, then why can’t I write, spell, or do math?”
The kids would treat me as that odd kid who went to special classes. I lost all self-confidence and felt as if I would never be normal and never fit in anywhere.
It was in those years at Star that I accomplished more than I had accomplished in my three previous schools. Through the efforts of my teachers I learned to read, write, and do math. They never gave up on me no matter how hard it was for me to learn something. My teachers opened me up to the world of academics that before was denied to me. For the first time I had teachers who cared about how well I did, they didn’t seem frustrated by me. They all seemed to know the secret way to open me up to learn. I was no longer that kid who couldn’t keep up with the other kids.
At Star I was given tools that would in later years serve me well. When it became apparent that I was succeeding, it was decided that it was time for me to leave Star and go out into the world of regular education. When I first heard about this I was scared. I remembered back to the days before Star and of the belittlement, failure, and isolation. But my teachers thought that I was ready for the outside world, so I flew the nest and journeyed out into an uncertain future. Because of the skills I learned at Star I was able to not only survive but flourish in the public school setting. Now looking back I can see just how much Star has helped me to overcome my challenges. It was not easy, but they believed in me so I believed in myself.
Now I am entering my last year at Menlo and I am I looking forward to applying for Grad School. Thanks to my experience at Star and the lessons my teachers taught me, I know that I will be prepared for whatever lies ahead of me. I have the confidence to challenge myself and take risks. I have the ability to pursue the many challenges that lie ahead in my life and to overcome the many obstacles that will confront me.
Thank you Star Academy for believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.
Cary Dunne
April 2009
Cary Dunne
