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Tyler Rockwood is not only being recognized for his work in the classroom, but also the job he does on the field and in his community.
It has been almost two years exactly since Crook County High School has had a senior selected as a High Desert Hero—until Tyler Rockwood received the honor this November.
The honor is made each month by The Center Foundation in Bend during the school year, and has been an ongoing tradition in Central Oregon for several years. The Center Foundation is made up of 22 specialists in orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, and physical medicine/rehabilitation. Each month, they recognize an outstanding Central Oregon high school senior, based on nominations throughout the various communities.
Julie Swinehart, an English instructor at Crook County High School, immediately thought of Rockwood when she heard about the nomination opportunity.
“When I first saw the e-mail about the High Desert Hero, he was the first student who came to mind,” exclaimed Swinehart. “He is just one of those kids that immediately pops into mind — and I just thought he had a really good chance at winning. He has got the athletic, the community involvement, the music side, the extracurricular, and he is just really well-rounded.”
The High Desert Hero scholarship program awards the monthly winner with a $100 mini-scholarship by Pepsi, a gift certificate to a local retailer, and a medallion—which is presented at his or her school assembly. At the end of the school year, the nine High Desert Heroes are eligible to compete for the $5,000 William K. Worrell scholarship, which is presented to one lucky winner at an awards dinner in the spring.
According to the Center Foundation website, the last nominee in Crook County to be selected as the High Desert Hero was in 2009, when Sydney Waite was the November winner. In 2007, CCHS senior, Jessica Lea was the September winner.
Winners are also honored with a radio profile through Horizon Broadcasting and a television interview with Kristi Miller on Good Morning Central Oregon.
Rockwood said he was really excited about the nomination and the honor of being selected for the award.
“It has been two or three years since anybody from Crook County has got the award, so it is really cool to finally bring it back to our school.”
Rockwood explained that he now has a one-in-nine chance of getting the William K. Worrell scholarship, which is based on an interview in the spring.
Among his involvements are Honor Society President, Link Crew, Senior Class President, Jazz Band and Concert Band, and he is a three-sport varsity athlete. He was the captain on his football team this year, as well as captain for his track team. He also wrestles for CCHS. In addition to this, Rockwood went to Uganda last year to help build a playground for an orphanage.
“Last spring I went to Uganda during my spring break and went on a mission trip with one of my friends,” said Rockwood.
He was making the trip with his family to get an orphan girl they had adopted. While they were there, Rockwood said they helped build a playground and fixed up the orphanage.
“The Orphanage in Uganda is run by Kathy Vaughan,” added Rockwood. “We also spent some time in a couple of other orphanages around Uganda, which was really an awesome experience.”
Rockwood said that his experience abroad gave him a different perspective on this part of the world.
“It’s just amazing how positive and how they are so thankful for us to come and see them. It was an eye opener for us. It was a great experience.”
Rockwood visited an engineering school in Indiana earlier in the month, and he is hoping to go to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology after he graduates in 2012. It is the number one engineering undergraduate school in the country without a doctorate’s program.
“It’s got a football team that I am thinking about playing on and also a track team. It’s a great college, and I want to go to college to do something in engineering. I am looking at a couple of other places, so I have choices—but right now it’s my number one choice.”
Candidates for the High Desert Hero must have a 3.5 grade point average, have a leadership role in high school extra-curricular activities, community involvement, and respect for others with recognizable volunteer efforts.
“I hold Tyler in the highest esteem, as do his other instructors and peers,” said Swinehart in her letter of recommendation for his nomination for the award. “He has proven to be an exemplary citizen, student, athlete, team member, and all-around human being.”
