Ethan Hammerton celebrating his grad in front of his Vernon home (submitted image)

By Kevin Rothwell

Principal's Choice Award Winner

Vernon grad powers through autism to achieve his dreams

Jul 3, 2023 | 8:00 AM

When Ethan Hammerton was two and a half years old his mother Shanda wondered if she would ever hear her son say “mom” again.

Shanda Hammerton had a normal pregnancy and Ethan was a healthy baby who developed normally until he was about 14 months old. At 26 months, Ethan had a screening and the family was told that “he is autistic.”

He went to the North Okanagan Neurological Association (NONA) in Vernon, then to Vernon Christian School for kindergarten to grade 5, where Shanda finally heard those three letters again “Mom.”

He was then homeschooled through V-Learn where he continued to overcome challenges, until he enrolled in grade 8 at Vernon Senior Secondary through to his recent graduation. Hammerton also held down part time work at Tim Horton’s while attending grade 12.

Hammerton received the Silver Star Rotary Achievement Award and the Reach for Success Scholarship at the recent VSS graduation ceremony. But it wasn’t until the final award of the evening that Hammerton was surprised by the emcee with one of the schools most prestigious awards.

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“The Principal’s Choice Award recognizes a student who was able to maintain focus, a positive attitude and strong work ethic while overcoming personal challenges,” the award script read. “The Grade 12 student receiving this prestigious award today has demonstrated astounding growth from his beginnings in Grade 8 when he was struggling to navigate this overwhelming place called high school. Over his five years at VSS, he has demonstrated the true meaning of perseverance; never giving up on himself and always striving to do his best. In addition to giving his all in every class, he also has contributed so much to the community of VSS. (Award presentation for VSS grad Ethan Hammerton)

The presentation went on to say: “Whether it was giving a presentation to his classes to help others understand the challenges of living life with autism, working as a peer tutor and mentor in the Summit Program, participating in and offering to help with school spirit activities, promoting virtual reality as a tool to support those struggling with mental health, or simply just offering to help others when he saw there was a need. This young man truly leaves VSS a better place because of his presence.”

“The support and guidance of Mr. Thomas Bohn, (VSS resource instructor) was a major lifeline in those challenging moments of highschool,” parents Shanda and Wade Hammerton said.

Thomas Bohn, support teacher, with Ethan Hammerton on graduation day (submitted image)

Ethan is headed to Okanagan College’s business degree program, and he eventjually would like to create a business in Vernon so he can hire others with challenges as well.