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Putnam Valley Student A Success Against All Odds
 | | Putnam Valley seventh grader Adriana Rodriquez, winner of the "Overcoming the Odds" award smiles in social worker Leighann Bale's office. The teddy bear perched on Ms. Bale's shelf is a gift from Adriana. |
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Against all odds, Putnam Valley seventh grader Adriana Rodriguez has succeeded as a student, a peer role model, and as one amazing young woman. At a dinner to be held at the Rye Town Hilton on May 9, Adriana will receive an "Overcoming the Odds" Award from Student Advocacy, Inc., of Elmsford, an organization that seeks to recognize students who face and overcome significant obstacles to school success. Adriana is one of four to receive the award out of a large pool of nominations spanning Putnam, Westchester and Rockland counties.
Putnam Valley school social worker Leighann Bale nominated Adriana and will be accompanying her to the dinner, along with Principal Ed Hallisey and a number of Adriana’s teachers. "Everyone is so proud of Adriana here," said Ms. Bale. "While she has made it her mission to be the best student she can be, she has also worked to be the best person she can be." Adriana apparently is always on the lookout to help her peers and teachers and is known for being giving and kind. She has formed such a bond with Ms. Bale that the social worker’s office is filled with gifts from Adriana.
Adriana’s personal guests to the dinner include her grandmother, who is her legal guardian, and her grandmother’s best friend. When asked what has helped her get through difficult times and succeed in school, Adriana answered: "The thought of my grandmother."
According to Ms. Bale, winners of the "Overcoming the Odds" Award are typically high school students, making Adriana’s recognition as a seventh grader particularly significant. Adriana’s long-term goal is to become an oceanographer.
The "Overcoming the Odds" Awards Dinner on May 9th is from 6:30 - 9:30. The cost of the dinner is $65 and includes reception, awards ceremony and dinner. Press are invited to attend approximately 6:00-6:15 for photo opportunities.
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