Whiz Kid: Sandeep Thomas Turned Tragedy Into Triumph

Name, age: Sandeep Thomas, 19

School and Neighborhood: Sandeep studied online through the Insight School of Washington and lives in Redmond. 

Accomplishments: Sandeep was named “Student of the Year” by his school in recognition of his academic accomplishments and many community service efforts.

“It was a wonderful experience,” Sandeep said of winning the award.

Key to awesomeness: Sandeep survived family tragedy and difficulties at traditional schools and, with the help of a new adoptive family, turned himself into a model student and citizen.

Originally born in India, Sandeep lost him mother when he was 5, was abandoned by his father soon after, and had little hope of living the kind of life that average Americans take for granted. When life was at it lowest, Sandeep was taken in by Peter and Vanita Thomas, brought to the states, and given a second chance.

Sandeep’s second chance didn’t immediately pay off, though. He suffered stresses brought on by the trauma previous trauma he experienced and had a difficult time coping and dealing with other people. The traditional brick-and-mortar schools Sandeep had been attending weren’t doing him any good, either. 

“I didn’t get the help I need there,” he said.

Then Sandeep found an online school that helped turn his life around. Sandeep says that the flexibility of online school, the lack of distractions from other students–good and bad–really helped him adjust and really brought out his best, eventually making him an honor-roll student.

Back on his feet and feeling hopeful again, Sandeep poured himself into helping others, especially children.

“They’re so helpless and in such great need,” he said.

Sandeep has helped raise money for orphaned children in Asia, worked to provide shoes for AIDS-affected orphans in Africa, and raised awareness for starving children in third world countries. He has also worked to increase support for online education, saying that it was a lifesaver for him.

Sandeep said that all the work he does it to help give struggling children the kind of help that he received.

He will attend UW-Bothell in the fall and is planning to pursue a business degree, and then perhaps law, so as to continue to help rescue children from poverty and slavery.