Blind student sets example for his class

How often do high school students get together and compose a letter saluting one of the members of their class?

Not too often, probably. But the students in a class in Cottage Grove, Ore., did.

Their letter begins:

"Dear Cameron,

"Every day you wake up and go to school not knowing that you inspire a great many of us.

"You live your life in a way that many people at Cottage Grove and especially Mr. Wolfe's 4th period ethics class would like to honor today."

The student receiving this letter was Cameron Reiten.

He was born in Valley City, N.D., in 1986, but he and his parents, Joel and Sharlene Reiten, have lived in Cottage Grove since Cameron was 7.

He's done very well, this guy Cameron, both in high school, from which he graduated with honors last year, and beyond, despite being blind since birth.

Double duty

"Cameron," his classmates' letter continues, "you have a difficulty many of us can't comprehend; you are blind, and yet while many people would use this excuse to be lazy and in a constant look for sympathy, you take this difficulty and make it a strength. In this you have been recognized as one of the most courageous people at Cottage Grove High School."

Cameron now is doing double duty. He's a disc jockey on a Cottage Grove radio station for four hours a day three days a week and he attends Lane Community College in Cottage Grove, where he is majoring in psychology, three nights a week.

'Highly motivated'

Now, more excerpts from his classmates' letter:

"Cameron, the thing that is special about you is your constant search for a way to improve yourself.

"You don't ask people to treat you as an invalid, but as a person who, in his high school career, has accomplished so many things. Some of these things are a very high GPA, (and) you are very active in many clubs.

"Cameron, while some people in this high school just slide by, you strive to be the best and in a lot of ways you are. You are a highly motivated person; when something is thrown your way, you might get knocked down, but you get up more determined than before to get over this new obstacle."

Cameron does his college studies through electronic Braille. And yes, his grades are good.

His grandparents still live in North Dakota. They are Margaret Warcken, LaMoure, and Gordon and Jean Reiten, Valley City. Cameron came out to visit them during semester break in March. But now he's back at it in college and on his radio program, still inspiring people the way he did his high school classmates so much that they concluded their letter to him this way:

"The main message in this letter is to tell you how you affect many people's lives.

"You give hope to the people who also face challenges that they feel they can't overcome; they look to you with your never-ending resolve to get the job done, and they know they can do it, too.

"So, in conclusion, thank you, Cameron, for being such an inspirational and courageous person."

And, Neighbors adds, for being a solid role model for all high school students.

If you have an item of interest for this column, mail it to Neighbors, The Forum, Box 2020, Fargo, N.D. 58107; fax it to 241-5487; or e-mail blind@forumcomm.com