Achiever likes to go her own way: She keeps grades up, stays focused despite challenges

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Achiever likes to go her own way

She keeps grades up, stays focused despite challenges

http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_4202730,00.html

On paper Kaitlin Steinberg is a good student, all honors classes and high

marks. But in person Kaitlin is a bit of a rebel, a fighter, only a few of

her fingernails are painted a deep berry, her army green jacket covers the

solid blue T-shirt that's against the dress code.

" It's the only time I've ever been in trouble. Last year I had an argument

with the assistant principal about the color red and shades of red and how

pink was a shade of red, " she smiled. " I lost. "

Every once in a while Kaitlin likes going against the grain. So when she was

diagnosed at 12 with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, an auto-immune disease

that made it nearly impossible for her to walk and forced her to drop out of

school, she decided not only would she come back, she would be better than

ever. This year she'll graduate third in her class of 471 at Ray High

School.

For her ability to stay focused and maintain an impeccable academic record

in spite of extreme medical hurdles, Kaitlin, 17, has been chosen as one of

this year's Caller-Times South Texas Distinguished Scholars in the achiever

category. Kaitlin, daughter of Steinberg and Barbra Riley, maintains a

99.1 grade point average and will graduate with honors.

School was tough at times. Kaitlin had to have someone carry her things

because her ankles couldn't take any extra weight and medicine made her

groggy. Kaitlin said she never was an athletic person but often cried that

her friends could run on a soccer field while she sat in the stands.

" I would have given anything to go out on that field, " she said.

Now thanks to medication and therapy her condition isn't as bad as it used

to be. Her private time is often spent taking leisurely walks along the

city's bayfront.

Steinberg has described his daughter as his hero.

" I have never once heard Kaitlin complain about her illness, not even during

the worst pain-filled days, " Steinberg wrote. " She has never asked 'Why

me?' She just deals with everything (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis) throws

in her path with an acceptance that is both admirable and amazing. "

Kaitlin has a courseload full of honors classes from history to calculus,

but theater is her passion.

" I tell people I want to major in theater and they're like 'OK, good luck

with that.' I'm what every parent dreads. I want to be an actor, " she

laughed. " But my parents are really supportive. "

Kaitlin still is in the process of visiting colleges but has her heart set

on New York or Los Angeles. She plans to wear spandex her first day of

school.

" Is that against the dress code? "