ROCKINGHAM — Rising sophomore Chase Roberson has been named the Richmond Observer’s Teen of the Month for June 2020.
He was nominated by his maternal grandmother, Ann Wheeler.
Born in Raleigh, Roberson moved with his family to his mother’s hometown of Hamlet at the age of two.
He started his education in preschool at Hamlet Presbyterian Weekday School and then attended Fairview Heights Elementary.
In the third grade, his grandmother said he was diagnosed with a visual processing disability and placed on the autism spectrum.
She said schooling had been a struggle for him up to that point.
After beginning therapy in Raleigh, Chase was pulled out of public school and homeschooled.
In just four months of homeschooling, combined with the therapy, she says he began reading and his comprehension improved, resulting in him being an “A” student ever since.
According to his grandmother, Chase is enrolled in PowerHomeschool through Acellus and completed ninth grade with a 3.66 GPA.
A history lover, Chase is the family’s “go-to” for factual information.
Chase is also a Boy Scout and an acolyte at Fellowship Methodist Church.
She said Chase hasn’t yet decided what he wants to do, but he does plan to continue his education and hopes one day to have a family and, in his words, “a good job.”
“Chase’s perseverance in overcoming a disability is outstanding,” Wheeler said. “He has never given up and has worked hard to overcome great obstacles during his childhood and teen years.
“He does not expect or accept anything but the best from himself but has great empathy for others who struggle,” she continued. “He loves and accepts others and advocates for those with hardships. He is humble and unselfish. He is a great role model for children and teenagers today.”
