Fellow amazing student Ryan Conaway (18) is originally from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and he moved to Manchester when he was four years old. Ryan was born with a cleft lip and a cleft palate. For those of you who are not aware of what that is, a cleft palate is a facial deformity affecting the roof of the mouth and lip. Ryan was faced with numerous surgeries below the age of one to help the defect. Ryan’s parents frequently drove him to meet his specialist. Ryan’s specialist has used his example for other doctors who were learning how to do the same surgical procedure.  

The cleft lip and the cleft palate are not the only obstacles he faced as a young child. Ryan was also just learning how to walk when he grabbed onto the cord of a crock pot full of hot grease that fell along the left side of his neck and arm leaving him with visible scars. Despite these setbacks, Ryan remains positive stating, “There are other things to worry about rather than what you look like.”  

Excitingly, Ryan chooses not to let his abnormalities affect the way he does things! He stated that there has not been many “mean” people trying to put him down for his appearance. More than anything people have been very understanding and treat him just the same. Although, when negativity does  appear, Ryan has these words for others who may be dealing with the same thing. “Do not dwell on what others say.”  

Following graduation Ryan plans on joining the military. He has already bravely signed to join the United States Naval forces where he will leave for eight weeks of basic training on Sept. 25, 2018. He will then attend training for 18 months to become a Electronics  Nuclear Technician (ETN).  He continues to serve as an example of perseverance for students school wide.