![Adding a tray of canned corn to the pile, junior Michael Collop assists in transporting donations for the Holiday Food Drive. The event, hosted schoolwide from Dec. 10-17, raised over 5,000 food items to deliver to the Parkway Food Pantry, helping several families in need. [The drive] is a great thing for us to do because you're giving to those who are less fortunate, and it helps provide for people who can't provide for themselves. [The] competition is always fun, too. It was fun to be in [social studies teacher Jess] Chazen’s class, because he always gets worked up over [the competition]. He made it exciting, and was always convincing us to turn in cans for the drive,” Collop said.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/feature-photo-unsung-2.png)
![NEW CHALLENGE, NEW TEAM MEMBERS: Every season, VEX creates a new game that robotics team members are faced with and have to build a robot to compete in. This year’s game forces students to create a robot that is able to stack rings onto mobile goals in order to score points. The change in games each season is something that robotics teacher Audrea Moyers appreciates.
“One of the things that I like about VEX is that they have a new problem to solve every year,” she said. ¨Even though the equipment’s the same, they have to analyze the game, and they have to come up with solutions that are unique that year. They are using their knowledge from prior years, but they have to kind of redesign a problem.”
As returning teams were faced a new game, some new teams and members had to adapt to a uncommon playing field and game.
“Three of our four teams were competing for the first time this year, and they had very different experiences match to match, so I think they learned a lot,¨ she said. ¨It’s hard just watching a video online to know how it’s actually going to be in person, so they all learned a lot about what gameplay is like, how to work with an alliance partner [and] how to adapt during the day to changes.”](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_9283-1-1200x800.jpg)
Hitting the mat, sophomore Grant Gorman doesn’t conform to the stereotype of an amputee, but rather defies odds with each dual.
From the time Gorman was born, a diagnosis of congenital pseudarthrosis leading to a twisted leg and ankle slowed down his fast-paced adolescence. Rather than amputating at birth, doctors surgically straightened his leg out; however, with a metastasizing illness leaving his left foot dead, his condition ultimately led to the amputation of his left foot at the age of 4.
The procedure known as a syme amputation made it possible for Gorman’s leg to conform to his passion for athletics. Therefore, making it easy for him to walk on his limb with or without a prosthetic, while also changing his attitude of acceptance and perseverance.
“Having to relearn everything I was used to was a huge adjustment, even at such a young age,” Gorman said. “Adapting to a prosthetic was something unfamiliar, but I quickly adjusted to the new everyday normal.”
Since the amputation, overcoming obstacles has never been something Gorman has strayed from but rather embraced head-on. Knowing he was different from the time he started wrestling only helped him triumph over challenges in his way, strengthening his mental and physical mindsets.
“When I first fell in love with wrestling at a special amputee camp, NubAbility, I quickly learned what most people would see as a disadvantage, was really an advantage,” Gorman said. “Throughout my years disciplining various techniques, I have learned to adapt when wrestling other competitors who have all their limbs, so I see my amputation as something to be proud of.”
Acknowledging his amputation as a gift has opened doors for Gorman while wrestling. Where most would think it would be a reckoning, Gorman has used his limb to help him in his stance and quickly catch opponents off guard by hooking his leg onto theirs. Although Gorman is only two years into the wrestling program, none of this came easily. Transforming himself into a leader amongst his teammates took many hours of control in preseason workouts, benefiting him in the four-month-long season.
“I have always been impressed by Grant’s work ethic and leadership skills,” wrestling coach Scott Townsley said. “The other coaches and I have never treated Grant differently, nor has he ever been asked to be treated differently. If a kid is willing to work, we will work with them, no matter who it is.”
Apart from his coaches, Gorman’s teammates have accepted him into their wrestling family. Respecting each other no matter the level of skill while embracing the Wildcat culture by looking up to one another has made bounds for their team.
“Seeing Grant wrestle at such a high level even with an amputated foot is something I could never do,” senior Harrell Jackson said. “Watching him grow as an athlete the two years I have known him is a testament to hard work and determination that the team and I continuously want for each other.”
Between both bravery and courage, Gorman has crushed boundaries in the high school wrestling field. Fueled by an undeniable love for sports, he will continue to raise awareness for not only amputees in athletics but for amputees everywhere.
This story was originally published on The Catalyst on February 21, 2024.