Lorenzo Xavier Celis Is Recognized for his Academic Achievements While Overcoming the Sudden Death of His Father

(Glendale, Ariz.)– Fulton Homes is honoring Lorenzo Xavier Celis after triumphing in the wake of his father’s death. Celis, a student at St. Louis the King Catholic School in Glendale, was named the Fulton Homes Be KOOL, Stay in School winner this week. The winner was announced Friday morning, April 22, 2011, on KOOL FM.  Be KOOL, Stay in School recognizes junior high and high school students who have overcome an extreme obstacle or difficulty. The program culminates in June of 2011 with $4,000 scholarships awarded to three deserving students.
Celis often said his father, Martin Celis, was his best friend. His father was very involved in the school as a volunteer coach, even working extra hours to install new tile in the school’s church. On Celis’s first day of 7th grade, his father was killed in a car accident on his way to work. The news was shocking to the family. Since then, Celis has worked very hard to stay strong for his mother and sister. Celis was nominated by his aunt, Rosanne Aviles, who has seen her nephew go through such a difficult time.
“Lorenzo accepted his father’s death with faith and conviction that he will see him again,” Aviles said. “This is something even many adults wouldn’t be able to do.”
Aviles said Celis maintained his grades through 7th grade and even went on to win the Knights of Columbus Free-Throw Championship at U.S. Airways Arena. Now 14 and about to start high school, Celis seems more dedicated to his academics than ever—and so is his family. The Martin Celis family now hosts an annual golf tournament in honor of his name and to help raise money to put toward Celis and his sister’s scholarship funds. Celis will attend Bourgade Catholic High School in the fall and hopes to continue his education at the University of Arizona.
“Lorenzo is a joy to his family and there is no doubt his dad is beaming with pride for his son,” Aviles said.
Celis has excelled academically in his 8th grade year and also participated in basketball and football. Aviles said she tunes into KOOL FM for the Be KOOL, Stay in School winners every week and is often moved by so many great students. She nominated her nephew because she felt he was the perfect candidate.
“To lose a parent and a best friend at the same time is a struggle many people wouldn’t know how to cope with” said Douglas Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes. “Lorenzo Celis overcame that tragic loss and became a role-model for young men. We are pleased to honor Lorenzo Xavier Celis as this week’s Be KOOL, Stay in School winner, and hope that his story of courage in the face of tremendous obstacles inspires all valley students.”
The Fulton Homes Be KOOL, Stay in School program recognizes students throughout the academic year who are currently enrolled in sixth, seventh or eighth grade and who have overcome tremendous challenges. Valley residents can nominate junior high students from various Maricopa County public, private and charter schools by submitting a form online at www.koolradio.com, describing the student’s triumph against extreme odds. These selected weekly winners will then be qualified to win one of three $4,000 scholarships. At the end of the school year, all qualifying students and their parents/guest will be invited to attend a dinner banquet where the winners of the scholarships will be announced.
The Fulton Homes Be KOOL, Stay in School program will accept nominations during the 2010-2011 school year, choosing 36 weekly winners who will receive a backpack full of prizes and on-air recognition from KOOL personalities Tom and Maria. Then, all 36 students chosen will be eligible for one of three $4,000 college scholarships, awarded in June 2011. The weekly winners will be evaluated by a board of judges consisting of co-sponsors Fulton Homes and KOOL FM, along with representatives from local schools.  For more information go to www.fultonhomes.com, click on Fulton Foundation and click Youth Education, or visit www.koolradio.com.
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Founded in 1975, Fulton Homes is one of Arizona’s largest privately owned homebuilders. Headquartered at 9140 S. Kyrene Rd. in Tempe, Fulton Homes builds affordable, high-quality single-family homes. According to the Phoenix Business Journal’s Book of Lists, Fulton Homes currently ranks fifth in the market, selling 669 homes from 7/1/09 to 6/30/10. To learn more about Fulton Homes, visit www.fultonhomes.com