By Susan Palmes-Dennis
A Filipino-American youth whose mother came from Cagayan de Oro was invited to attend a special session by Stanford University's law school this March.
Kaelan Everhart, who turns 17 years old on February 21 this year is the son of Omaey Los Banos of Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City who moved to Don Carlos, Bukidnon province years ago. Omaey always considers Cagayan de Oro home.
The Los Banos family was originally from Samal Island in Davao and relocated to Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro.
Kaelan was invited by Stanford Law School and Envision to attend the Intensive Law and Trial next month, as shared by the very excited Omaey.
“Only a few are invited” to attend the short term course that would eventually offer seniors the chance to pursue law in college or related courses.
In the invitation letter sent to the parents, the school stated that even if the invitee chose not to pursue law at the end of the program, the invitee can still be a life changer in any disciplines in policy, local government and law enforcement.
By attending the Intensive Law and Trial Kaelan will get the opportunity to study stimulating subject areas while experiencing dormitory living at Stanford University.
Kaelan is now a senior at Union Grove Christian School at Lexington, North Carolina and is a straight A student with the highest Grade Point Average (GPA), his mom Omaey said.
He is also a member of the school's Honor Society. During his free time, Kaelan mostly reads all kind of books especially on law and philosophy.
“It stems from my persistence on law and morality.”
“I have recently started playing chess, kendama and yo-yo as a creative outlet and to improve dexterity,” Kaelan said. Though he isn't interested in medicine, Kaelan said most of his teachers suggested that he should consider pursuing it.
“I was number 1 in science and biology in tests done by the North Carolina state. I'm interested in technology but the only branch of science I want to pursue is psychology because I want to know how God allowed the human brain to function after the fall of man,” he said.
“He is the sweetest and obedient kid that you could ever have. He loves to go church and love the Lord dearly,” Omaey said.
Omaey is the former president of the Filipino-American Association at Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It was during this time that the God fearing Kaelan had associated with the Fil-American group.
He said he helped her mom in medical missions in the Philippines during her presidency at the group. “It was a great experience,” Kaelan said.
He said he hopes that the Filipino-American community in the US would be united in engaging and empowering other minority communities in the US. Born of a Filipino mother, Kaelan grew up adopting Philippine culture.
Among those he counts as his influences were Ben Shapiro, whom he credits for stirring his interest in government and two Bible teachers named Beverly and Mr. Gilmore “who taught me so many things to remember.”
“Of course how will I forget my mother who taught me the value of money and how important family is. I cannot, nor can anyone else, see where they will be in 10 years. But I hope to have my law degree and working in my local government and working through state to federal government,” Kaelan said.
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