ON THE RIGHT TRACK CONTINUATION SCHOOL HELPED STUDENT EXCEL.

Byline: Sue Doyle Staff Writer

CANYON COUNTRY - He could be the poster child for the typical college student.

He studies hard. Talks politics with classmates. And even has a pile of laundry to do.

But school for Colby Norwood wasn't always this way.

The 19-year-old from Canyon Country struggled in the classroom during elementary school and junior high. His choice of socializing over homework landed him at a continuation school while others in his eighth-grade class headed to graduation.

After two difficult years at Valencia High School, school officials recommended he transfer to Bowman High School continuation campus, because of his poor grades.

And then everything came together.

``I changed my attitude toward school and life,'' he said.

At that point, Norwood realized the importance of an education and knew he could only count on himself to get it.

He said before Bowman, he rejected help offered by educators. But at the continuation school, classwork was handled differently and getting it done was up to him.

``You know, when you're pushed to do something, you want to rebel,'' the Canyon Country teen said, explaining why he once resented school. ``But at Bowman they leave it on your shoulders. If you're going to do it, you do it.''

That's when school started clicking. He applied himself in class and then saw his grades soar. As a result, his life at school improved. He said it felt different.

Bowman counselor Lori Wilson said when students arrive on campus, they're told that their education is solely their responsibility, and that parents and teachers can't do the job for them.

``You have to now make the decision as an educationally responsible adult that this is what you want to do,'' Wilson said. ``And that's exactly what he did.''

Wilson noticed how school came together for the student, who later became student body president. She called his progress remarkable.

Now with a solid grade-point average, Norwood began to consider college. He took college entrance exams, filled out applications and waited for results.

Soon a big, fat envelope from Louisiana's Grambling State University arrived in the mail. And Norwood was on his way to college. Today he's a sophomore with a political science major. He wants to pursue sports law.

Dermot Norwood, 40, said he used to tell his son that life was hard because he made it hard.

One day that message sank in. The teen realized life was easier when rules were followed, and his life went back on track, his father said.

``Colby is a true success story, but it doesn't come as a surprise, because we always knew he had the potential,'' Dermot Norwood said. ``He just had to decide to use it.''

Sue Doyle,[phone]

sue.doyle(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color in SAC edition only) Former Bowman High School student Colby Norwood now attends Louisiana's Grambling State University.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer