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The Golden Tornado - By Mike Lynch |
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 The Golden Tornado
By Mike Lynch
Think you’ve had a rough time growing up? Hate rising early for school or a pre dawn journey to a rink an hour away?
Well listen to the odyssey of Laura Botero of Malden High School.
Laura was born in Colombia, South America. When she was in middle
school her mother moved her and her sister to Malden, but later in the
school year they moved back to Colombia.
In her freshman year Laura and her sister moved back to Malden, but in
the 10th grade Laura’s older sister took her with her to live in Texas.
Unhappy in Texas, Laura moved BY HERSELF to live with relatives in
Everett before moving BACK to Malden to live with one of her middle
school teachers who became Laura’s legal guardian.
Getting tired yet? You could understand if Laura’s grades were slipping
or if she missed a day of school here and there, but then there really
isn’t any instrument to measure the human spirit.
Today Laura is a senior at Malden High School. She plays three sports
and is one of the captains of the volleyball team. She is a member of
the National Honor Society, has a GPA of 3.5 and is ranked 37th in a
class of 410.
Laura has a lifetime of built in excuses for failure and all would be
understandable but she will have none of it. Laura told me she never
asked herself why she suffered such hardships; she believes that her
travails have made her stronger and better equipped to handle whatever
life tosses at her.
Her teachers have labeled Laura curious, fearless and a survivor. Laura
would like at attend Brown University or Smith College next year.
Having met her I think she is uniquely qualified for either school.
Until then she will continue to awe and inspire those around her.
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|  Jul 15, 10
King of What? - By Mike Lynch | | | | May 14, 10
Triumph and Courage - By Mike Lynch | | | | Apr 30, 10
Like Father Like Daughter; Alex Carpenter Is Carving Out Her Own Legacy | | | | Apr 30, 10
The Year to Remember Continues for Former VJW Player Chris Kreider | | | | Apr 20, 10
Keeping #5 Alive - By Mike Lynch | | | | Apr 16, 10
Tournament Action Returns to Haverhill in 2010 | | | | Apr 10, 10
Magical Season Comes to an End for VJW '97 Elites at USA Hockey Nationals | | | | Apr 9, 10
A Class Act - By Mike Lynch | | | | Apr 8, 10
VJW '97 Elites Loss Sets Stage for Third Day Showdown at Nationals | | | | Apr 8, 10
VJW '97 Elites Post 3-2 Win Over Columbus at USA Hockey Nationals | | | | Apr 6, 10
VJW '97 Elites Arrive in New York; Prepare to Take On Nation's Best | | | | Apr 2, 10
Former VJW Junior A Player Colin Mulvey Captures NCAA National Title | | | | Mar 22, 10
VJW '97 Elites Prepare for USA Hockey Nationals | | | | Mar 21, 10
Chris Kreider - Former VJW Standout - Leads BC to NCAA Tournament | | | | Mar 17, 10
Nothing is Impossible - By Mike Lynch | | | | Sep 8, 09
Valley Jr Warriors Excel at Labor Day Face-Off Invitational | | | | Mar 15, 10
Former VJW Junior A Star Cucci Shines in Hockey East Battle | | | | Mar 14, 10
VJW Mite Selects Bask in NEHL Championship Glory | | | | Mar 14, 10
VJW '97 Elites Punch Ticket to USA Hockey Nationals in April | | | | Mar 14, 10
VJW '99 Selects Celebrate Mass State Select League Championship | | | | Mar 14, 10
VJW '98 Elites Capture New England Hockey League Title | | | | Mar 7, 10
Former VJW Junior A Standout Nets Year-End League Honors | | | | Mar 5, 10
Non Sibi - By Mike Lynch | | | | Feb 22, 10
What Can You Do For Brown? - By Mike Lynch | | | | Feb 11, 10
VJW Squirt Major Selects Make a Difference Both On and Off the Ice | | | | Feb 11, 10
VJW Squirt Major Selects Take Time to Help Others In Need | | | | Feb 5, 10
Valley Jr Warriors Coach Bob Sweeney Joins Beanpot Hall | | | | Feb 3, 10
Tewksbury Tough - By Mike Lynch | | | | Jan 5, 10
VJW Teams Battle For Titles at the 2010 JWK Holiday Tournament | | | | Jan 19, 10
VJW '98 Elites Jonathan Folsom Featured in Local Newspaper | | | | Jan 18, 10
Standing Tall - By Mike Lynch | | | | Jan 5, 10
VJW '98 Selects Capture Boston Jr Terriers Tournament Title | | | | Jan 4, 10
Taking the Pledge in 2010 - By Mike Lynch | | | | Dec 31, 09
Valley Jr Warriors '98 Elites Take On Bell Capital Cup Challenge | | | | Dec 28, 09
Former VJW Standout Chris Kreider & Team USA Are World Champions | | | | Dec 23, 09
Former VJW Star Kreider Named to the 2010 U.S. National Junior Team | | | | Dec 23, 09
VJW '97 Elites Take Their Game to Canada | | | | Dec 17, 09
Holiday Shopping List - By Mike Lynch | | | | Dec 14, 09
Haverhill Valley Forum Enjoys Its Fourth Year of Operation In Style | | | | Dec 11, 09
Eastern Junior Hockey League Featured in Recent USA Hockey Magazine | | | | Dec 6, 09
Walking Tall - By Mike Lynch | | | | Dec 4, 09
Former VJW Players Shine On Collegiate Scene | | | | Nov 18, 09
Call to Glory - By Mike Lynch | | | | Nov 15, 09
14th Annual Warrior Classic Comes to a Close | | | | Nov 15, 09
VJW Teams Battle at Mass State Championship Playdowns | | | | Nov 12, 09
Riki Retelle Earns EJHL Defensive Player of the Week Honors | | | | Nov 12, 09
VJW Teams Set For Mass Hockey Tier I & Tier II State Championship Playdowns | | | | Nov 10, 09
Valley Jr Warriors Junior As Enjoy Weekend Sweep Over CD Selects | | | | Nov 8, 09
Welcome Home - 4 VJW Teams Return After Strong Showing in Chicago | | | | Nov 6, 09
Courage - By Mike Lynch | | | | Nov 1, 09
VJW Teams Poised to Face the Best of the Best | | | | Oct 30, 09
VJW Junior A Team Making Big Strides | | | | Oct 13, 09
VJW U-16 IIs Continue Winning and Championship Ways | | | |  Oct 20, 09
The Golden Tornado - By Mike Lynch | | | | Oct 20, 09
VJW '95 Elites - Picking Up Where They Left Off | | | | Oct 20, 09
Steve MacAdams Brings Experience & Success to VJW | | | | Oct 25, 09
USA Hockey Announces H1N1 Recommendations | | | | Oct 5, 09
No Early Season Jitters for the VJW '98 Elites | | | | Oct 5, 09
Great Expectations - From Mike Lynch | | | | Sep 29, 09
VJW Mite Minors Off to a Fast (and Fun!) Start | | | | Sep 22, 09
VJW '99 Selects Make a Difference On and Off the Ice | | | | Sep 21, 09
VJW U-16 Midget Standout Brian Ward Heads to Dartmouth College | | | | Sep 16, 09
VJW Teams Post Impressive 5-1 Record Against Team Comcast | | | | Sep 16, 09
VJW '96 Selects Skate to Victory at Summer Cool-Off Tournament | | | | Sep 15, 09
Tom Terrific - Mike Lynch Reflects on Tom Brady | | | | Sep 8, 09
Valley Jr Warriors '98 Elites Capture WNS Title | | | | Sep 9, 09
VJW - Junior A Season Preview | | | | Sep 2, 09
A Happy New Year From Mike Lynch | | | | Aug 18, 09
VJW's JJ Layton Heads to Little League World Series | | | | Jul 19, 09
VJW Players Shine at 2009 USA Hockey Player Development Camp | | | | Jun 29, 09
Chris Kreider Selected No. 19 in 2009 NHL Entry Draft | | | | Jun 18, 09
VJW Tournaments Make a Return to Haverhill in 2009 | | | | Jun 1, 09
VJW Junior A Team Welcomes Two Key Players for 2009-10 Season | | |
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