News - Local News - Graduations

POSTED: Wednesday, Jun. 04, 2008

Senior shines despite changing homes

Chess-playing graduate has surprised himself

BELLINGHAM — Samuel Tracey, a senior at Sehome High, can’t believe he’s almost done with high school, something he never thought was possible.

“I made it through high school. I didn’t think that would happen, most people didn’t,” the 18-year-old said in May, only a couple weeks before the big day. “I’ve been told all year that I’m graduating, but that’s something that’s not really believable to me.”

On Saturday, Tracey’s walk across the stage at Western Washington University’s Carver Gym will signify more than just finishing high school, it will signify overcoming large obstacles to do so: Tracey grew up in the foster-care system and entered high school behind his peers academically.

But through hard work and a stable foster home, Tracey will graduate on time. He’s even earned an award for his consistent effort.

Earlier this spring, Tracey was named one of the Bellingham School District’s Senior Stars for making significant improvement.

“I laughed,” Tracey said about when he was told. “Me and my brother looked at me and I said, ‘I don’t see where I’ve had personal growth.’”

But Principal Phyllis Textor thought otherwise, calling Tracey one of her favorite students.

“He was the first student I met,” she said, remembering the moment they met during a dance a few years ago. “He came up to me and said, ‘You must be the new principal. I’m Sam.’”

MOVING AROUND AND CATCHING UP

Tracey entered the fostercare system in the first grade and moved around quite a bit throughout childhood.

“I was thrown from one foster home to another,” he said.

From the third through the sixth grades, he lived with his mom again, but it was only temporary and launched a series of school transfers in Bellingham and Everett. By the time Tracey and his twin brother were placed at their current home seven years ago, Tracey was done moving.

“There was no way I was going to be passed from foster home to foster home again,” he said.

Moving around a lot put Tracey a bit behind his peers academically. When he entered Sehome High School as a freshman four years ago, he was enrolled in the special education program to help him catch up.

By the middle of sophomore year, he was able to test out of the special education program, and while he’s proud of the move, he also thinks staying in would have helped him get through the WASL better.

“I could get help with work and get stuff done,” he said. Now he’s a teacher assistant in the special education department, giving him the chance to help others and get help himself. “I know where to find advantages where I’m mostly disadvantaged.”

MORE THAN ACADEMICS

Tracey admits that he’s not a strong student, but it’s not for a lack of intelligence — it’s for a lack of interest.

“Accomplishments academically don’t mean much to me because in three or four years, how will they help?” he said. “Mostly my life accomplishments I did in normal life, not school life, are what I focus on.”

Chess is one of those accomplishments. Tracey started playing chess with his mom when he was 5 years old and he quickly became the best player of anyone he knew.

For his culminating project, Tracey decided to organize a chess tournament at Larrabee Elementary School.

In February he also competed at the State High School State Team Championship as a “varsity” team member, the first time he’s done so in four years of being on the Sehome team. At the competition, Tracey won four of his five matches, the only person on the Sehome team to do so.

“It was a good way to end for me,” he said.

During his teen years, Tracey also has been working hard to accomplish his lifelong goal of becoming a police officer and a private investigator. During his free time, Tracey loves to play problem-solving video games, like “Zelda,” and read mysteries to help hone his deductive reasoning skills. He’s also been trying to get physically fit for his profession of choice and in the fall he’ll be entering Whatcom Community College’s administration of justice program.

He also has figured out four rules in life to live by: things can always be worse, you get what you give, everyone dies eventually, and never give up.

But the most important thing Tracey is doing to prepare for his future is by adhering to a strict honor code.

“I don’t tell lies — that’s something I’ve had since I was young,” he said. ““I also try to treat everyone with respect and try to always do what is right.”