BEST AND BRIGHTEST: Tutor is driven by past struggle

TO OUR READERS: This is one in a series of stories about members of The Gazette's Best & Brightest Class of 2008.

In elementary school, Griffin Smith watched his classmates read while he struggled to sound out the words.

Diagnosed with severe dyslexia, he was held back a grade and worked weekly with a reading specialist.

"I shook off the worst of my dyslexia by the beginning of third grade and began reading with a passion," Smith said. "I have become such an avid reader in part just to prove to myself that, yes, now I can read."

He did so well he skipped fifth grade. To show his gratitude for overcoming his dyslexia, he approached the principal of Gold Camp Elementary when he was in ninth grade to ask if he could mentor kids struggling with reading and writing.

He was assigned to fourth-graders and has volunteered there a few days each week for the past four years.

"It's my favorite part of the day," he said.

Many school volunteers prefer tasks such as grading papers and putting up bulletin boards, said teacher Kathy Rugh, whose students Smith has mentored since September 2006. But Smith, she said, reads with students and helps them compose, revise and edit their writing.

"Griffin makes my students feel as though their learning is the most important part of his day," she said. "Griffin has made a difference in the lives of my students by leading by example. Students from last year still come to my room and talk about how great he was and how much he helped them."

Smith, 17, said if no one had been willing to help him as a child, he wouldn't be able to help kids today. He plans to continue helping kids during his college years.

"With perseverance and determination, I was reading at a college level when I started middle school, but I have never forgotten the shame I felt," he said. "I see myself in the students with whom I work and empathize with their humiliation, so I am patient. I always leave the classroom feeling accomplished, but more importantly, proud of the students for their progress."

GRIFFIN SMITH, Cheyenne Mountain High School

Parents: Mark and Bradley Smith

What's next: undecided

If you were given $1 million, taxfree, what would you do with it? "My answer is pretty boring: I would use it to pay for college, and then I'd invest it and use it later in life as needed."

Other details: Scholastic Magazine's American Voices Award, Scholastic Arts and Writing Award, school's Science Bowl founder, German Club, cross country, placed third in Pikes Peak Ascent for men's 19 and under, beekeeper, National Honor Society, top 10 percent winner in the American Association of Teachers of German exam.