Two students from Chester County are among this year’s inspiring graduates whose accomplishments are doing the entire Philadelphia region proud, writes Ronnie Polaneczky for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

David Arlen, a member of Conestoga High School’s Class of 2020, was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder when he was three years old. At the time, the doctors told his parents to lower their expectations for him.

“I’ve spent the last 15 years trying to prove the doctors wrong,” wrote Arlen.

Arlen, who often spoke loudly and out of turn while in school, managed to overcome this challenge through singing and karate. His singing prowess has now earned him a place in Conestoga’s music honor society.

Meanwhile, Kingston Ou, a member of West Chester University’s Class of 2020, is a three-time cancer survivor whose parents escaped the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia and fled to Thailand.

The family – together with Ou, who was born in a refugee camp – eventually moved to America. The 35-year-old now credits much of his passion for social justice to his family’s experience.

As a student, Ou was able to balance caring for family members, working several jobs, and fulfilling his school commitments.

Read more about these accomplished graduates in The Philadelphia Inquirer here.