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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 11, 2020)
EDUCATION A8 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM Hermiston teen on the road to recovery By TAMMY MALGESINI FOR THE HERMISTON HERALD Zeddrik Cota is riding high a little more than two years after a debilitating bicycle accident that resulted in severe head injuries. “Before the accident he was always struggling in school,” said Oscar Cota, the 14-year-old’s father. “He was presented with an award in recognition of his leader- ship in class.” The proud papa went on to say his son is now carry- ing a 3.79 GPA. The award, he said, was awarded by Hermiston High School for his son’s learning efforts, leadership skills and going above and beyond in the dis- trict’s distance learning pro- gram. He was nominated for the award anonymously, which was presented Oct. 23 by School Resource Offi cer Derrick Williams. “I feel happy and proud of myself knowing that I’m doing good. I’m doing bet- ter,” Zeddrik said. He calls distance learn- ing “different,” but believes it has been a contributing factor to doing better in school. His father agrees, saying he and Zeddrik’s mother, Alainna Abbott, have discussed having their son continue with online school even after COVID- 19 restrictions are lifted. After the June 14, 2018, bicycle accident, which occurred at the Hermiston Campus Life skate park, Zeddrik was transferred via medical helicopter to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland. A med- ically-induced coma and a long road to recovery fol- lowed. Oscar said his son’s physician at Randall Chil- dren’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, is pleased with his patient’s progress. Oscar said Zeddrik still requires extensive dental work. In addition, he said Oscar Cota/Contributed Photo Zeddrik Cota shows off a fi sh he caught recently. his son still experiences some issues with his mem- ory and staying focused. Zeddrik, who recalls lit- tle from the accident, said he remembers waking up in the hospital in Portland with his parents staring at him. One thing he appre- ciates is that his brother called for paramedics and the expertise of fi rst responders. In addition, Zeddrik is grateful for the outpouring of support from the commu- nity. He received numerous posters and boxes of cards wishing him well. While the accident has restricted Zeddrik’s activi- ties to noncontact sports, he has been enjoying partici- pating on the high school’s trap shooting team. In addi- tion, he likes spending time with his family and dogs, as well as fi shing and hunting, including for ducks and shed. Several months after the accident, Zeddrik got the go-ahead by his doc- tor to go hunting. He was the only one in the family that had pulled an elk tag that year. He was success- ful, bagging a 6-point bull. Also, Zeddrik has got- ten back into the saddle — riding his bike. He stressed the importance of donning a helmet while riding a bike. “I don’t like to wear it, but I’m glad I did,” he said. “I wish more kids would wear them.” WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020 Awards link offi cers, students By JADE MCDOWELL NEWS EDITOR If a police offi cer comes knock- ing at a Hermiston School District student’s door, it doesn’t necessar- ily mean they’re in trouble. The district’s three school resource offi cers have been visiting select students each Friday to hand out awards voted on by the stu- dents’ teachers. The awards can be for good behavior, improved atten- dance or other categories where teachers feel a student deserves rec- ognition. The award comes with a gift card and certifi cate. Offi cer Betty Nava, who cur- rently covers the district’s two mid- dle schools and has been a school resource offi cer since 2016, said delivering awards to students at home has been a nice way to recon- nect with them after months of dis- tance learning. “I get to see a lot of kids that I got to know other years and haven’t seen for a while,” she said. She said the kids “light up” when they fi nd out they got an award, and parents often show excitement and pride as well. In normal years, school resource offi cers spend time each day at the schools. While their presence pro- vides a measure of security for the schools, the idea is also for offi - cers to build credibility and pos- itive relationships with students. That mission has been hard to fulfi ll this year when students are learning online. Oscar Cota/Contributed Photo Zeddrik Cota, left, receives one of Hermiston High School’s awards from Offi cer Derrick Williams, right. Offi cer Derrick Williams was assigned to be a school resource offi cer for Hermiston High School in the spring, but since then SROs have mostly been on regular patrol duties since they can’t spend time with students in schools. Williams said since the awards started up, it has been fun going out each Friday to hand out the 16 awards for the week. “It’s defi nitely a good way to utilize what time we do have with the kids when they’re not in the schools,” he said. They usually call ahead to say they’re coming, he said, but some- times the parents don’t tell the stu- dent and he gets to surprise them. Some students’ fi rst reaction to an offi cer showing up to their house is worry that they’re in trouble for something. Offi cer Juan Balli, who cov- ers the elementary schools, also said students’ fi rst reaction at see- ing a police offi cer at the door can be fear, but it turns into excite- ment when they realize they won an award. “Elementary kids are bright- eyed: ‘Oh I got one!’” he said. Dan Greenough, principal at Desert View Elementary School, said his school does three awards per week, alternating between one kindergartener, fi rst-grader and sec- ond-grader one week and a third-, fourth- and fi fth-grader the next. “Teachers work as a grade-level team and talk about the kids and who’s really showing that grit and perseverance through comprehen- sive distance learning, and choose one student,” he said. He said teachers have had a hard time not being able to be face-to- face with their students, so they have enjoyed being able to select students for the awards. “It’s been fun,” he said. “Its a great way to recognize the kids.” TURNING 65? Confused about Medicare? Get answers from a trusted local resource! Call me for a complimentary PERSONAL CONSULTATION today! JOSH GOLLER 125 SE 7th St., Hermiston, OR 541-289-7261 www.simmonshealthinsurance.partners HOW WE RECOVER We can only defeat COVID-19 by working together, protecting our families’ health, and looking out for our community. We’re on the right path, but we still have work to do. 1 Reduce your risk of contracting coronavirus by practicing good health habits. Wash your hands regularly, maintain 6 feet of physical distance from others, and keep indoor gatherings to 10 people or fewer. 2 Stop the spread of coronavirus by staying home if you’re sick and wearing a mask when in public. Local contact tracers will call to offer guidance and information if you or someone close to you tests positive for COVID-19. These professionals will also provide information for your safety and recovery. 3 Eradicate COVID-19 from Umatilla County by staying vigilant to avoid a winter resurgence. This is how we will return students to the classroom and fully reopen businesses as soon as safely possible.
