Saul Garza, 2009 Award Winner…

The “Heart in Art” award was begun in memory of a very special man, Danny Wood. His son, Steven Sanchez, sponsored the 10^th annual award in honor of his father. We at Culture Shapers thank you, Steven. You embody the very nature of your father and are an honor to his legacy.

The 10th annual Danny Wood “Heart In Art” award was presented to Saul Garza of Pasadena Memorial HS. Saul was presented a certificate and a check for $1,250 during the annual Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, December 2, 2009. What follows is from the presentation speech by Lyn Fitzpatrick…

Saul Garza is every bit the hero we hope to find and honor with the “Heart in Art” award. He was nominated by his art teacher, Mr. Adam Malek of Pasadena Memorial High School.  The two first met in the hall, when the young man stopped Mr. Malek and expressed an interest in sculpture, saying he had lots of ideas he would like to try.  Mr. Malek had him transferred to his sculpture class two weeks later, and thus began the unveiling of a story of faith, perseverance, and even miracles in the young life of Saul Garza.

When Saul was born 16 years ago, the doctor gave Mr. and Mrs. Garza the devastating news that their son had Spina Bifida, which is basically a broken back. They were told to go home and make funeral arrangements, or at best to prepare themselves to raise a vegetable. When the doctor left, Lupe Garza, Saul’s father, turned to his speechless wife, Janie, and said of the doctor, “Those are HER words.  We will believe God.”

And so it was that this faith-packed declaration set the stage for more miracles to come. Within 24 hours, Saul was moved out of ICU because he was doing so well. The doctor said to Saul’s parents, “I don’t understand.  I don’t understand.” Lupe and Janie looked at each other and responded, “We do.” And the Garzas took their son home.

Janie Garza could’ve been angry, resentful, guilt-ridden, paralyzed in fear, justified in a myriad of negative emotions, but instead she asked God to show her who her baby really is.  “I want to know him,” she declares.  “Show me who he is on the inside.” And God has been showing her ever since. 

Saul’s parents don’t see a son who underwent 16 surgeries by the age of six, who is deaf in one ear, has a shunt from his brain to his stomach, and lives with one kidney. They don’t see a child who will never look “normal”, never play sports, never grow to full stature, and never be free of cruel remarks and senseless ridicule. The Saul they see is the one revealed as they chose to look beyond the outward appearance and opted instead to gaze with eyes of unconditional love on a heart that was innocent, unscathed, and whole.  Can you and I even imagine a world in which we all approach one another with, “I want to know you on the inside”?

According to his family, his teacher, the school nurse, and his assistant principal, Saul’s heart is full of perseverance, kindness, and optimism.  Each of them declares that he is such an inspiration. His is a heart free of self-pity, free of self-focus, free of so much that others carry around, with comparatively less justification.

Saul has learned something that would be life-changing for all of us.  He has accepted himself exactly as he is.  Those who know him say he refuses to be defined by his physical limitations. He is who he is. Saul himself, says we should all forget about what people think of us and focus on our own definition of who we are. What a profound truth from someone so young. The results of such a perspective are an approach to life that you and I should feel honored to emulate.

Perhaps as a culture, we are guilty of limiting the definition of courage. We applaud the “big ones,” the rescues from burning buildings, the 9/11 sacrifices. And so we should, but what about the smaller, un-applauded acts that require just as much courage on a daily basis? Shouldn’t we also call “courageous” one who faces each day with chronic pain, yet finds the grace to smile at everyone and refuses to be bitter? What about one who absorbs teasing and judgments from insensitive peers with the response: “They just don’t know me”? And what of the one who faces further surgeries, weeks and months of recuperation and physical therapy, and yet manages to live with hope in the present moment? This is who Saul Garza is.

We should all pledge to open our eyes to the many acts of courage occurring all around us that are underestimated and un-praised. Saul has reached into a different realm and has found the real meaning of life. As author and speaker Marianne Williamson said, “It is not about what happens to us, but what we do with what happens to us, and who we decide to become because of what happens to us.”

We at Culture Shapers are privileged to see who Saul Garza really is, and we honor him for the brilliant light that he selflessly shines, for the quiet spirit of humility that makes him so big, and for the inspiration that he is to everyone who knows him. Saul Garza’s life rekindles our own internal fires.  By simply hearing his story, we are better people. And so we celebrate Saul Garza, a young man who knows who he is, and gives us all permission to do the same.

 Update on the 2008 “Heart in Art” winner, Sergio Rangel:

 I thought you might enjoy an update on last year’s winner, Sergio Rangel. For those who may not know Sergio’s story, it is one that leaves us amazed by a teenager’s ability to persevere in love against overwhelming adversity. The devastating demise of his parents’ marriage left Sergio homeless at the age of 16 and living in the backyard of their repossessed home. But Sergio refused defeat. He went to school, joined a church, helped Habitat for Humanity build a home for the homeless, and stayed after school working on his art until they closed the doors late at night. 

Sergio’s art teacher, Victor Raygoza, finally uncovered Sergio’s well-kept secret that he had no place to call home. He and his wife, Shannon, made the very risky decision to take Sergio into their home, to care for him, to love him, and become his guardians. Sergio’s tribute to them last year was, “I was so lost.  But now, thanks to the love of God through the Raygozas, I’m found.”    

Today, Sergio attends art school in Kansas City. I’ve spoken with him several times this year. He’s working hard. He said to me, “Ms. Fitzpatrick, this is REALLY hard!”  I laughed and reminded him that hard is shivering in the cold while sleeping in the backyard and trying to figure out where your next meal is coming from, and all the while encouraging others when you need it more than any of them. Sergio also volunteers his time to a women’s shelter, again taking care of others in need.  It’s just who Sergio is and always will be.

 Every year we are astounded by our nominees’ stories of perseverance, courage, and character. At Culture Shapers, we value every story as unique, with its own specific contribution to the image we hold up as a standard for this generation.

Previous Recipients of the Danny Wood “Heart in Art” Award…

About the Danny Wood “Heart In Art” Award

With every contest, Culture Shapers honors one very special student with the Danny Wood “Heart in Art” Award. The award carries the name of a dear friend of the Culture Shapers organization, Danny Wood, who passed away on April 1, 1999.

Danny was an extremely generous man who touched the lives of anyone who came into contact with him. He was passionate about impacting our city in a positive way, and he was continually looking for ways to serve others. Whether donating materials and time to construct a coffee shop for his church, or demonstrating excellence through his business dealings, Danny was a model to us all… truly a Culture Shaper!

In like fashion, the recipients of this prestigious award, nominated by their teachers and peers, exhibit the following character traits…

Know someone who you think should be considered for the Danny Wood “Heart in Art” Award? Click here to email us their story and why you think they should receive this award!