NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Earlier this year, Russell Taormina US’16 had the opportunity to spend a day on set with his professional idol, Quentin Tarantino. It was a fitting meeting, considering the aspiring director embodies the inner strength and unwavering spirit of many a Tarantino protagonist.
The Student Advocacy Organization recognized those heroic traits on May 27 when it presented Taormina with one of eight Overcoming the Odds Awards at the Greenburgh Public Library in Elmsford. Russell suffers from Juvenile Dermatomayositis, a debilitating disease affecting his muscles and producing skin rashes. Though he receives regular chemotherapy treatments to counter the effects of this disease, missing classroom instruction, Taormina has continued to maintain a GPA of more than 90 in Iona’s college prep program.
As one of his teachers noted in recommending him for the award, “Russell has overcome the odds by keeping a positive attitude. Besides the debilitating physical aspects of his illness and treatment, Russell has certainly been impacted emotionally. Staying positive is a battle that Russell fights and wins.”
Upon graduation, Taormina looks to study film and directing in college