At the tender age of 11, Anthony Moore is already an inspiration to everyone around him.
After more than three years of hard work and sheer determination, the Lakeville Elementary fifth-grader tested out of special education in January and is currently a straight-A student on his way to middle school.
‘I achieve my goals,? Moore said. ‘I barely used to read before all this. And now I’m pretty good at it.?
In July 2005, Moore was diagnosed with dyslexia and slight Attention Deficit Disorder. His parents and the school noticed problems while he was in kindergarten and first grade.
‘He was a lot more immature than the others,? said mother Karen Keene. ‘He wasn’t reading at all. He just couldn’t catch on.?
In an effort to try to help Moore, his parents made the difficult decision to have him repeat the first grade, but it didn’t help.
‘He made no progress the second year of first grade. He was in bad shape,? said Keene, noting her son was ‘way below average in his reading levels.?
During second grade, the school tested Moore and determined he had a reading disability, which required him to be in special education. Keene said her son was ‘devastated? by the news.
‘He locked himself in a bathroom (at home) and just cried,? she said. ‘He thought that only bad kids ? kids that got in trouble ? went in special education. He thought he was stupid. He thought he was disabled.?
Moore was deeply concerned with what the other students would think of him.
‘I thought I was different than everybody,? he explained. ‘I didn’t want to be because I didn’t want to get teased.?
Moore’s fears were unfounded because he never got teased by his peers.
When he finally calmed down and came out of the bathroom, Moore, with tears in his eyes, promised his parents he was going to be out of special education before he reached middle school.
‘Anthony is a fighter and very determined,? Keene said. ?(If) he puts his heart into something, he will accomplish it.?
‘He made the vow, worked hard and did it,? said Moore’s stepfather Mike Keene. ‘It’s just so impressive.?
In special education, Moore received the help he so desperately needed from teachers Effie Vitinaros, who retired in 2006, and Deanna Marginet, who now teaches full-time at Lakeville.
‘They did a wonderful job with my son,? Keene said. ‘Every single one of his teachers has participated in bringing him to where he is now.?
‘He couldn’t have done it without them,? said Mike Keene.
Moore would spend anywhere from five to seven hours a week in the school’s resource room receiving help reading and understanding what he read.
‘We focused on fluency and reading comprehension,? Marginet said. ‘He also came in to have science and social studies tests read to him. The purpose for that was so he could focus on the content and not reading (the) more difficult vocabulary.?
‘Years went by and grades crept up with help from the special education teachers,? Keene said.
In fact, prior to earning straight As this last marking period, Moore had been receiving all As and Bs since third grade with the exception of one C in the fourth grade.
‘A lot of his success was his own drive,? Marginet said. ‘He had the attitude. He had the motivation. He was a great kid to teach.?
Keene noted that homework is always Moore’s top priority when he gets home from school.
‘He just worked at it,? he said. ‘He dug his feet in and wasn’t giving up. Anything he does, he has to win.?
About three times a week, Moore and his stepfather would spend time together reading and doing exercises assigned by his special education teacher.
All that hard work began to pay off because in January 2007, it was decided to reduce Moore’s special education time to 3-5 hours a week.
‘He was becoming more independent and successful in his regular classes,? Marginet said.
By September 2007, it was decided Moore was ‘mature enough? to determine when and if he needed to attend special education for help.
‘I would see him once in a great while,? Marginet said. ‘He’d stop in, I’d say you’re doing great and send him back to class.?
Then came the big moment in January when Moore tested out of special education.
‘It felt good. I was sort of surprised,? Moore said. ‘I was pretty happy. Don’t ever give up, just keep going until you achieve your goals.?
‘I knew it would happen. It wasn’t a surprise,? Marginet said. ‘I think kids can overcome their disability if they work hard at it and he’s one that worked very hard at it.?
‘We’re so proud of him,? Keene said. ‘He showed it can be done. He showed that if you work hard enough, you can accomplish a goal that’s nearly impossible.?
Keene said her son is ‘a totally different kid? now than prior to receiving the help he needed.
‘He’s very secure,? she said. ‘He’s very confident. He’s such a confident kid.?
Around Lakeville Elementary, Moore is considered a student leader because of his upbeat attitude, willingness to accept others and well-known sense of humor.
‘He’s a kid that makes anybody feel at home,? Marginet said.
‘He’s friends with everybody ? no matter who they are,? Keene said. ‘He never sees anybody as different.?
‘He’s the kid that will melt you,? said Mike Keene. ‘He has a personality that lights up the entire room.?
When Moore was in fourth grade, he went to school every day dressed up like Santa Claus ? red suit, white beard, stuffed belly, etc. ? for the entire week leading up to Christmas break.
Moore said he did it ‘just to make people laugh? and ‘get them in the spirit.?
‘They got a huge kick out of it,? according to his mom.
When he’s not working hard at his studies, Moore excels at sports playing junior football and federation baseball.
‘The kid is a star athlete,? according to his stepfather. ‘Wherever he goes people want him on their team.?
This year he joined the Oxford Wrestling Club and recently placed second in regional competition, which qualified him for states. He didn’t place at the state level, but it was quite an accomplishment for a beginner.
When he grows up, Moore’s considering being either an actor, professional athlete or teacher.
Whatever career path he chooses, Moore plans to follow the advice he gives everyone ? ‘Keeping trying and go for your goals.?