Zachary Pezzillo poses with HMSA President Robert Hiam and keynote speaker Kealoha. Brien Ing | SL

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Zachary Pezzillo, a steersman and captain for the paddling team, was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome when he was seven and then with epilepsy at 14. Both disorders can be challenging for youths, but Pezzillo has turned his issues into a learning experience. Courtesy of HMSA

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Zachary Pezzillo poses with HMSA President Robert Hiam and keynote speaker Kealoha. Brien Ing | SL

View image 1 of 2

Zachary Pezzillo, a steersman and captain for the paddling team, was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome when he was seven and then with epilepsy at 14. Both disorders can be challenging for youths, but Pezzillo has turned his issues into a learning experience. Courtesy of HMSA

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Miracle Helekahi, Zachary Pezzillo and Kyle Nakatsuka were named distinguished recipients of the HMSA Kaimana Awards scholarship at a luncheon Saturday at the Hawaii Prince Hotel.

The three were selected among 22 students from around the state honored for not just for their participation in athletics, but for their excellence in academics and community service. Each of the 22 winners were awarded $2000 scholarships. Each of the three distinguished winners were given an additional $1000.

This is part two of three mini-profiles on each of the distinguished recipients.

Zachary Pezzillo, much like fellow distinguished recipient Miracle Helekahi, overcame adversity to excel in sports, the classroom and his community.

The Seabury Hall graduate, a steersman and captain for the paddling team, was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome when he was seven and then with epilepsy at 14. Both disorders can be challenging for youths, but Pezzillo has turned his issues into a learning experience. He serves as Youth Ambassador for the National Tourette Syndrome Association, educating the community "about this highly misunderstood disorder and to promote understanding of all our differences," he wrote in his essay.

When not educating the community on disorders, Pezzillo raises and trains service dogs for Hawaii Canines for Independence as a volunteer at the Maui Veterinary Clinic. He also is a camp leader for children with disabilities at Camp Imua on Maui.

"I've had a lot of challenges through my life, but I try not to dwell on what I can't do, but what I can do," Pezzillo said. "I hope that other kids who have challenges or who have hardships growing up see this and be influenced to go out and do the same."

Personal disorders or not, Pezzillo would have likely been involved in community service. He said helping other goes back generations in his family.

"I've been given so much in my life, it's a privilege to give back," he said.

An avid photographer who has won several awards, Pezzillo will major in Biomedical Photographic Communications at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

"I'm interested in medicine and photography, so that kind of combines them perfectly," he said.