Teen face: Ryan Neitzel

Personal: Ryan Neitzel, an 18-year-old graduate of Healdsburg High School, lives in Healdsburg with his mom, Debbie, and their dog, Murphy, a giant yellow Labrador.

Seeing things differently: To understand Ryan Neitzel's high school journey, the first thing you need to know is that he has a severe form of dyslexia. When he reads the word "happy," he might see it as "pypha."

"Many people thought and told me that I probably wouldn't be able to graduate from high school. I told myself I was stupid. By junior high, my self-esteem was very low," said the teen who will be attending University of the Pacific in Stockton this fall.

Tests, tests and more tests: Diagnosed in second grade and monitored through elementary school and junior high, it wasn't until Neitzel met with an educational psychologist that a world of possibilities opened up to him.

Naturally optimistic, he always worked hard, despite doubts of where he'd end up in life. He collects Rubik's Cubes and is a fast color unscrambler.

"This guy told my mother, 'Ryan is very intelligent.' He drew up an education plan for me. I learned that my learning comes in waves, as epiphanies sometimes, but it does come," Neitzel said.

With plans to become an educational psychologist, Neitzel hopes to squeeze in a tour with the Peace Corps between his bachelor's and master's degrees.

A serene senior year: He graduated from Healdsburg High with a 3.88-grade-point average and served as president of the Key Club part of his junior and senior years, for a total of one year. He was also active in the Peer Helping program, designed to allow students to help other students with social issues.

"In Key Club, we laughed a lot and got a lot of community service programs done. What I'll remember is giving our own school $500 for paper. Just paper. But the teachers needed it," he said.

Summer Search and 4-H activities: A member of the Summer Search nonprofit program, which encourages students to strive for college, Neitzel treasures the adventures he had and the friends he made. In sophomore year, he hiked the North Cascades, a trip he credits with a lot of personal growth. In junior year, he went to Peru.

"I got a really big picture of what the world is like outside the U.S. bubble. That experience inspired me to give back," he said.

His 4-H activities began simply because he admired his sister, Sarah, now 23, for raising rabbits in 4-H.

"I just idolized Sarah. I still do. I always wanted to be doing what she's doing. She's between her master's and a doctorate program now," he said.

A few of his 4-H accomplishments included becoming a Sonoma County All-Star, a record book winner, and winner of numerous Grand Champion and other awards for his rabbits. He was in club leadership, serving as vice president of the Alexander Valley 4-H. He won Best of Show numerous times with container gardens and won the small animal round robin several times.

Due to his involvement with 4-H and school, he won numerous scholarships, including being chosen state winner for the Discover Card and the Ronald McDonald Foundation, plus a 4-H Foundation scholarship.

"When I started, I couldn't write the word rabbit. At 4-H, I just got to be Ryan, a kid; not Ryan the frustrated kid in the classroom," he said.

Where's Ryan?: This summer he's working the early shift at the Healdsburg Boys & Girls Club, where he makes the kids laugh by trying long shots on the basketball court. If he makes it, they cheer. If he misses, he skulks off to jeering. It's all in a spirit of fun.

"I like coaching and listening. I'm good with kids, and I like interacting with them. With my history, it all comes together to help kids in my future profession," he said.

-- Rayne Wolfe