Wahluke grad honored for overcoming obstacles

MATTAWA — A Wahluke High School graduate was recently honored for his determination and community engagement by Community Health Plan of Washington. Haziel Sandoval-Gatica received CHPW’s Power of Community Perseverance Award, a $1,000 scholarship. Sandoval-Gatica, a 2024 graduate of Wahluke, overcame significant obstacles including poverty, family displacement and a language barrier to graduate with a 3.3 grade point average while playing varsity soccer and engaging in his community, according to CHPW Regional Manager Daniel Smith. “I came across Haziel through our relationship with the Migrant Education Program leadership,” Smith said. “There was so much to be inspired about, just remarkable achievement that Haziel has done in his life.”