Former La Plata valedictorian dies

Friday, Feb. 5, 2010

Michael Anderson was a young man with a bright future who decided to put aside his plans to become a lawyer to devote a few years to teach disadvantaged kids in Hawaii.

Those plans were cut short last week when Anderson's life ended from a fall while he was hiking with a friend in Makaha Valley on Hawaii, the largest island in the state.

Anderson, 25, died Jan. 29 after falling 200 feet during the hike, according to local news reports. Rescue personnel found his body Jan. 30.

The young man's death has shocked and saddened the community.

The La Plata resident was studying law at the University of Notre Dame in 2006 when he was asked if he would like to participate in the Teach for America program. He accepted the offer and began teaching math at Waianae High School several weeks later, said Ron Bailey, a family friend and advancement chairman for Boy Scout Troop 1321 in La Plata.

"That would be something that was totally Michael," he said. "He was a very, very giving person and he knew that he could finish law school any time that he wanted."

Bailey meet Anderson after his family moved to Charles County from Pennsylvania in 1996, Mary Bailey said. The young man immediately became involved in Troop 1321 and in 2001 he earned the rank of Eagle Scout, she said, adding that he stayed in touch with the troop after he left for college.

Anderson loved spending time mentoring young people, including kids in Troop 1321, Bailey said, adding she is not surprised that he jumped at the chance to teach less fortunate students in Hawaii. Local news reports stated that many of the young people whom he taught said they graduated from high school because of his dynamic teaching style.

"He saw the good in everyone," she said. "He took kids who were hard to teach and let them know that they could do anything they wanted to do if they put their mind to it.

"He personified everything that is good about young people," she added. "The hardest thing for me to accept is that there are people who won't benefit from knowing him. They won't get the opportunity to be touched by his generosity, intellect and giving spirit."

"Mike was one of a kind," Ron Bailey said. "I've never, ever met somebody of his age who was so remarkable. He was able to connect to younger kids. He was just amazing. He inspired me in many ways."

Glenn Belmore, Scoutmaster of Troop 1321, said he met Anderson in 1998 and was immediately impressed with the young man's energy and intellect.

"You had to work really hard to keep up with him," he said. "He was always on the go. Sometimes I wondered if he ever slept. He was unbelievable.

"Michael liked to work with other Scouts who needed help," Belmore said. "He would always step in to take over an activity for younger Scouts. He was an exceedingly fine example of a Scout."

Anderson was also an excellent student at La Plata High School, said Mary Bailey, who is a teacher at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School in Newburg. A 2002 graduate, he was the class valedictorian, a National Merit Scholar and captain of the school's Mock Trial Team and Charles County champion "It's Academic" team, she said.

Anderson served as the captain of the school's computer bowl team and was a member of the math team, Bailey said, adding that he also was in the Student Government Association.

"His death is just a devastating loss," she said. "He was just a really awesome young man."

Don Cooke, who served as La Plata's principal for 14 years until his retirement in 2006, remembered Anderson's academic excellence.

"He was a wonderful person; he was one of the best students who have graduated from La Plata and we had many great students," he said. "Michael was intelligent, caring and he got along with everybody. He was always asking what else he could do for the school and students. He was a wonderful kid."

"Michael was a really, really outstanding student; I've never had a better student," said Karl Craton, a teacher at La Plata. "He was very intelligent, and he had an excellent work ethic. He was a hard worker. He was a super, highly motivated nice kid."

Anderson also was a member of the school's cross country and indoor and outdoor track teams, said Richard Williams, coach and computer science teacher.

"He was a valued member of the team," he said. "He brought some intangibles to the team. He had moral character, a level head and he was a role model to the other athletes."

Anderson was a student in Williams' computer science class.

"He had an uncanny sense of logic and he wasn't afraid to ask tough questions," Williams recalled. "He was a deep thinker and analytical."

The Andersons are parishioners of St. Mary's Church in Newport, where Anderson was an altar server as a young man and a lector, Mary Bailey said.

Students at Waianae High School are also mourning Anderson's death. His parents, Nils and Carolyn Anderson, and his younger brothers, David and Nils, are in Hawaii and attended a memorial service for their son that was held at the high school Thursday, said Evelyn Lawrence, a family friend.

The Andersons will bring their son home this weekend, Lawrence said, adding that a funeral and burial service will be arranged next week with Raymond Funeral Service in La Plata.

"Michael was a very motivated and energetic person; he was just very gifted," Lawrence said. "He was very friendly. He was a really great person."

Mary Jo Kamin has been a friend of the family since she moved across the street from the Andersons 13 years ago.

"Whenever we were sitting outside Michael would always come over and talk to us and play with the kids," she said. "He was home at Christmas and he had a snowball fight with my son, Matt. He always encouraged the kids to do their best. He was just a great role model for my kids. His death is a shock."

nmcconaty@somdnews.com