SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4 News)- On Monday, Granite School District will announce this year’s winner of the Absolutely Incredible award.
The honor will take place during Kearns High School end-of-the-year student assembly. The recipient this year is Kearns H.S freshman Palalaua Tafili.
Tafili grew up in poverty in Samoa, where he experienced the death of his father and younger brother.
School officials say he moved around quite a bit from house to house before eventually being adopted and brought to Utah when he was 7 years old.
He faced the adversity of having to improve his health, learn English and deal with a perforated eardrum.
The freshman will be given gifts from the Granite Education Foundation and local organizations that match his interests.
Tafili was chosen among 400 nominees sent in by parents, employees and students.