Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 16, 1990 TAG: 9006160358
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JEFF MOTLEY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
But by Bain's own admission, his accomplishments were dwarfed by those of fellow graduate Chris Gwinn.
Gwinn was diagnosed with leukemia in early September, spent almost three months in the hospital and was forced to finish his schooling on a homebound program.
"I worked really hard and took [advanced placement] courses and everything, but I'll still bet he worked harder than me," Bain said. "With the obstacles he had to overcome - I can't imagine having to go through that."
Bain's final sentence In his valedictory address wasn't made with Gwinn in mind, but it applied perfectly.
"We have the opportunity to affect the milestones of the future," Bain told the packed gymnasium and the 195 graduates. "Our only limit is our desire to achieve."
Gwinn's desire has been obvious, despite a senior year filled with setbacks.
"There were times that I prayed to live and times I prayed to die," Gwinn said. "I certainly never thought I would be around to see this day. Then when things finally started looking up, I found out that my best friend, Gerald Perdue, had been killed in a car accident. They told me on the day I left the hospital."
Gwinn is in a state of remission and said that doctors have told him that if he has no signs of the disease for five years, he will be cured.
He also had plenty of support from his classmates and school administration.
"We had a class fund-raiser, gave lots of encouragement and the clubs also helped raise money for him," Bain said.
The school set him up a homebound program and Gwinn made the most of it.
"I had to work hard, but it made me start taking things a lot more seriously," Gwinn said. "I owe a lot to my teacher, Debbie Dalton, though. She never told me the answers, but she really helped me to understand."
Other achievers besides Bain and Gwinn were honored Friday night. Julie Miller, who has spina bifida, received her degree in her wheelchair. Her counselors joked they should give her a gold key to the school elevator.
Harley Johnson, a standout on the track team as a distance runner, was the salutatorian. He plans to attend Georgia Tech on a scholarship and will major in aerospace engineering.
by CNB