Coastsider Cody Hovsepian to be Honored at Family Service’s Winners Breakfast

Born to drug-addicted parents, Pacifica resident and Oceana High School student Aaron ‘Cody’ Hovsepian suffered through a series of nightmarish living situations growing up, tragically culminating in his molestation at the tender age of seven. Three years later his father died and Cody endured more physical and emotional abuse due to his continuing unstable living environments.

Eventually, Cody sought the help of his high school’s social worker and guidance counselor, who helped him find a loving foster family. School became his ticket to a better life, and along the way, Cody felt liberated to express his true identity and came out as gay. Today, he is thriving in school, is active in the Gay Straight Alliance and plans to attend college to become a child psychologist.

It takes a true winner like Cody to triumph over adversity, and on September 18, 2009 from 7:00-9:00 a.m., seven local high school students and three adults will be honored for doing just that. Family Service Agency of San Mateo County’s 14th Annual Winners Breakfast will celebrate the achievements of these unsung Peninsula heroes: everyday people who are extraordinary in that they have overcome extreme obstacles to succeed and to become role models for their peers.

The inspirational annual event will be held at the Crowne Plaza Cabaña Hotel & Resort, 4290 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. Tickets are $50.00 pp; $25.00 pp for children/seniors, and can be purchased by calling Maria Chavez at 650-403-4300, x4401 or online by visiting www.familyserviceagency.org.

Winners Breakfast, which is made possible thanks to a $25,000 grant from sponsor Oracle, will be co-chaired by Family Service board members Michael Berube and Pandy Garvic. The event will bring together hundreds of Peninsula community members to celebrate the honorees’ achievements during a special breakfast ceremony. CBS 5 TV’s Sydnie Kohara and ABC-7 TV’s Don Sanchez will co-host, while comedian and KGO radio personality Brian Copeland will be the guest speaker.

Nominated for their Winners Awards by high school personnel and Family Service staff members, the honorees—including Coastsider Cody Hovsepian—will receive special recognition and a $1,000 award at the September 18th ceremony.