As a classroom filled with eager freshmen settles down to begin the lesson of the day, a young boy sitting in the back kicks his legs up on the table, puts his hands behind his head, closes his eyes and sighs. George Kutnerian,’00, began high school thinking that he was the best and did not have anything to learn.

“When I was a freshmen I didn’t feel committed to education,” Kutnerian said. “I wasn’t motivated at that time.”

Often in the rush of the day, teachers overlook students in the class who are lazy, but sometimes they also miss students who are eager to learn.

Small classroom size allows teachers to pay more attention to students and put in the time and effort needed to bring the best out them.

“Fresno Christian has instructors that are able to shape and mold students, helping students realize and improve who they are,” Kutnerian said. “Teachers at FC molded my character, broke through my arrogance and knew the importance of improving me as a person.”

Certain teachers on campus especially helped Kutnerian care about school and realize his potential.

“I was encouraged and enabled by Greg Stobbe [English teacher],” Kutnerian said. “He was persistent and taught me even when I didn’t want to be taught. He enabled me to care about my education by cutting through my arrogance by helping me realize my potential. Stobbe did not quit on me even though I deserved it.”

Not only did Stobbe believe in Kutnerian’s potential, but other campus teachers also encouraged and cared about him.

“Stobbe and other teachers motivated me and believed in my abilities even before I did,” Kutnerian said. “I needed them at that time of my life. It was the foundation for my success later. After graduating from FC, I had had enough encouragement to believe in myself. I was confident in myself as I went to college, and I did not need anyone to tell me I was OK.”

Along with parent figures to look up to, teenagers often need a teacher who relates to them on a personal level. According to Kutnerian, Allen Tong, former campus math and tennis teacher, filled that role for him.

“I could always talk to Tong on a personal level?not just in math class or during tennis practice,” Kutnerian said. “He was like an older friend. He gave me reassurance that everything that I was going through would be OK.”

Throughout high school, teenagers often struggle with a lack of confidence and acceptance. During Kutnerian’s senior year, Molly Sargent, dean of women, helped him to fit in and gain confidence in himself.

“Sargent was quietly confident in my abilities during my senior year while she taught me in Academic Decathlon,” Kutnerian said. “I enjoyed being in the company of bright individuals and was curious to see how I would fit into an Acadec team. She not only helped me feel comfortable and accepted, but she showed me how I could play an integral role.”

According to Kutnerian, the teachers kept him on the right track by believing in him and caring about him.

“FC’s greatest impact comes down to the teachers who care,” Kutnerian said. “They were the ones who made a difference in my life. They wouldn’t let me fall by the wayside.”

Everyone fails, but few take those failures and try to improve. People not only learn from teachers and books, but many also learn by making mistakes and trying to fix them.

“I learned through my mistakes,” Kutnerian said. “From each failure I examined my mistakes and took from the experience what I needed to be successful in the future. Success isn’t success without failure. Failure makes success sweet.”

Learning from past mistakes presented chances for Kutnerian to take advantage of all the opportunities Fresno City College [FCC] gave to him.

“I think a part of the reason I won my award was the opportunity FCC afforded me,” Kutnerian said. “Another part was the strong educational background that FC provided me. A combination of these factors contributed to my success.”

After graduating, many students are unsure about how they will use their education in the future. Students who know what they want from the future have a better chance of pursuing a career they enjoy.

“After attending UC Berkeley I would like to get MBA and JD degrees,” Kutnerian said. “I want to go into business and possibly into politics.”

For more information about the New Century Scholar program go to www.ptk.org/schol/recipients/aaat/03newcent.htm.

George Kutnerian’s accomplishments since high school graduation:

Fresno City College
–Named the #1 student in FCC Honors program, 2004
–Winner of the Coca Cola New Century Scholar 2004 as the top California Community College student

–Student Body President at FCC
–Senator in student government
–Student Trustee member. He organized a PR campaign and helped promote the $160M Measure E bond to improve classroom space, improve technology, add a new community college campus and renovate the old FCC administration building.
–Guistwhite Scholar

–A U.S.A. Today First Team Academic All-American as one of the top 20 Community College students in the U.S.A.
–A National Business Merit Award winner
–Collegiate All-American Scholar