It is my pleasure to recommend Isaiah Suso to whatever opportunities present themselves. I have been Isaiah's English teacher for three out of his four high school years. I have watched him transform from a slightly unfocused and shy tenth grader into a conscientious and capable young man. He has enormous potential for good, and I’m proud to have been his teacher all these years.
One of Isaiah's most significant traits is his genuine curiosity. He is not driven by a sense of obligation or desire to “pad his resume.” Rather, Isaiah experiences the world with an open and questioning mind. It is because of his innate desire for knowledge that he is as likely to read The Federalist Papers or his Economics textbook. He is equally curious about people. Isaiah is an exceptional listener who asks probing questions that show depth and compassion. This explains why Isaiah has been voted “Gentleman of the Year” on WCA campus for three consecutive years.
Isaiah is an excellent writer whose work reflects, not only the skill of a practiced and serious student, but also the introspection of a thoughtful mind. On one particularly challenging writing assignment, the students in College Composition were asked to synthesize philosophy, research, and personal experience as a thoughtful autoethnography. Isaiah was struggling through the process with a new writing genre. He wasn’t alone. All of his classmates experienced similar confusion. However, Isaiah stood out in his fierce tenacity. While most of his classmates were rehashing positions that they had previously formed, Isaiah kept reading and thinking until the best available ideas came together in a way that would reflect real growth. His vulnerability during this process was impressive.
Additionally, he is thoughtful and patient in otherwise polarizing conversations. We often engaged in discussions that would polarize the students in the room; however, Isaiah's contributions to conversations were reflective. He is sure in his positions without being emotional or dogmatic, which stood out in sharp contrast to some of the bombast of his classmates. What initially appears to be shyness or reticence turns out to be something more like assurance and introspection. He set the example for thoughtful and respectful conversations.
With all of Isaiah's activities, academic load, and personal stressors, he is still consistently happy,
cheerful, helpful. Isaiah is wise in his choices, deep in his understanding, and confident in his capacity. I’m pleased to recommend this clear-eyed and talented young man to the world.
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