Issue 24: Dystinct Journey of Preston Rice

Preston Rice has always had a rare spark - an ability to see the world in ways that make others stop and pay attention. His family noticed it early, in the way he'd explore his surroundings with boundless curiosity, uncovering tiny details and hidden treasures that most would miss. At the beach, he'd spot sea creatures tucked away in the sand, his sharp eye and endless curiosity forming a natural connection with the ocean. And when he'd tell stories, he'd bring them to life, drawing others into his vivid imagination.

Heather Rice, his mother, describes this unique ability: "He's always had a particularly special knack for seeing things others don't see. Even in a crowded room, Preston could pick out the most obscure item out of place." His gift for discovery became apparent as he grew older, especially at the beach, where he would find creatures hidden in the sand - fish, crabs, and other sea life that no one else noticed. But it's not just what he finds; it's how he shares it. "People are drawn to Preston because he's so excited about life," Heather adds. His contagious enthusiasm pulls others in, making them feel just as captivated by his latest passion.

People are drawn to Preston because he's so excited about life.

During Preston's early years, his parents, Jerry Rice and Heather began noticing subtle signs that hinted he was learning uniquely. As a seasoned middle and high school teacher, Heather had observed a range of approaches to learning, particularly in boys, who she says "just learn differently. They need to play, move, speak their minds, and be creative." Preston was naturally curious and drawn to exploring how things worked, yet he didn't fit the typical mould. Instead of gravitating towards crayons and picture books, he was fascinated with science books filled with detailed animal photos. "He would memorise every detail of each animal, down to the caption and location on the map," Heather recalls, "and he'd ask for more advanced books rather than the usual children's books." Unlike his brothers, Preston didn't show interest in reading or writing on his own. "He'd crawl into our laps and let us read to him for hours, but he never tried to read a word himself," Heather reflects.

When Preston started kindergarten, his challenges became more noticeable. He often struggled with recognising and spelling his own name, sometimes writing it incorrectly. "He attended VPK and kindergarten and could write his name, but I thought it was odd that he often spelled it incorrectly," Heather recalls. "I knew he should be recognising his own name and making that connection, but he wasn't." Her concerns grew further after a paediatrician's vision test suggested possible issues, making her wonder, "Could it be that he truly can't see the words, or is he just struggling to recognise them?"

By first grade, Heather knew something wasn't right, especially as Preston's teacher dismissed his challenges. She recalls the sting of finding a note on his spelling test that read, "You should try harder!" She confides, "I didn't want to reveal I was an educator. I just wanted to be Preston's mother." But when the teacher suggested ADHD and casually remarked that "a little medication" would solve the problem, Heather knew she had to take action.

Obtaining a diagnosis proved to be one of their biggest challenges. Jerry and Heather faced the school system alone, often sitting in meetings surrounded by educators and administrators who, they say, "made it feel like them vs. us." After one particularly difficult meeting, Heather recalls, "I left crying because I never felt like they were advocating for my child." At one point, she was told that "Preston would not pass the fourth-grade state standardised testing, so they would not hold him back in first or second grade." She felt as though the school had given up on him, and she knew then that she had to find a way to get him out of that system.

I didn't want to reveal I was an educator. I just wanted to be Preston's mother.

The school system fought us for an entire year and did not want to test him," she recalls. "I demanded testing from the public school system. He passed the Time on Task (ADHD) test, and they had no idea where to go from there. The school psychologist recognised our frustration and agreed to do an additional observation. He told us he tested off the charts for pattern recognition but could not give a specific diagnosis."

After a long journey of advocating, Heather and Jerry’s persistence led to Preston receiving an Individualised Education Plan (IEP), which enabled them to explore a new school option with support from the McKay Scholarship for Unique Learners in Florida. They found the One School of the Arts and Sciences, a private K-12 school in their community that fully accommodated Preston's learning needs. The school believed in educating the whole child, using whole brain learning techniques and providing flexible classrooms. It was the perfect setting for Preston to thrive, and having consistent relationships with his teachers year after year helped build his confidence. "They knew my child for who he was and celebrated his unique giftings," Heather reflects.

The school also referred Preston to Dr Alicia Braccia, a psychologist who conducted full testing and finally provided the diagnosis that connected the dots. However, this clarity didn't come until the end of third grade. "Testing outside of the school system isn't affordable for most families," Heather notes, acknowledging the tough road many parents face in finding answers.

Receiving the official diagnosis was a mixed moment for the Rice family. On one hand, it brought them a sense of relief - a confirmation that Preston's way of learning was simply unique. They framed his diagnosis as being "Exceptionally Dyslexic," telling Preston that he had special skills that allowed him to hear and see things others might miss and that he could use those skills to learn in his own way. At first, Preston embraced his dyslexia with pride. He even created a science fair project to help his classmates understand what it's like to be dyslexic, aiming to educate and connect with his peers.

However, as Preston entered middle school, his perspective shifted. He became more aware of his differences and felt the weight of wanting to blend in, to be "just like everyone else." This growing self-awareness made the challenges he faced even harder, especially as he continued to struggle with reading. By seventh grade, his reading level was still at a third-grade level, which raised concerns as he approached high school. Heather knew they needed to intervene. "We made the choice to remove him from English classes and replace it with OG tutoring during the week," she explains. "It may seem drastic, but we needed to get him ready for high school."

The school provided an incredible OG tutor who worked with Preston one-on-one, giving him the focused attention he needed. Still, it wasn't an easy adjustment. Preston struggled with being pulled out for tutoring and often expressed his frustration. "He complained and cried daily," Heather recalls, "to the point that I began to question if I was making the right decision." But the commitment paid off. Thanks to the dedication of his tutor and the consistent support, Preston made significant progress. By the end of those two years, he had made an incredible leap, going from a third-grade to an eighth-grade reading level. It was a change that opened doors for him in high school and, more importantly, gave him a new sense of confidence.

Preston found an exciting opportunity in high school to bring his passion for marine life into the classroom. The school's Marine Science teacher, Mrs Joan Torres, noticed his enthusiasm for the ocean and encouraged him to share his knowledge with her classes. Preston jumped at the chance, eagerly presenting to his peers and spreading his excitement for marine science. Heather and Jerry knew how much this meant to him and felt he needed more "wins" under his belt to help him reach his college goals, so they began looking for hands-on experiences that would give Preston real-world exposure to the field he loved.

The summer after his sophomore year, they discovered the Coastal Marine Education and Research Academy (CMERA) in Palm Harbor, Florida. Since he was still a minor and couldn't stay in the dorms, Heather drove him to and from the boats daily. With financial support from friends and family, Preston spent three weeks at CMERA, tagging sharks and rays, collecting DNA, and working with data on a real research vessel.

When he returned to high school that fall, he asked to be a Teacher Assistant (TA) and helped arrange a tagging field trip for the Marine Science class. The next summer, with sponsorship and funding, he attended the CMERA program for four weeks and was named a Chief Research Scientist on their research vessels. The experience was a major confidence boost for Preston. It deepened his love for marine science and gave him an opportunity to inspire his students at his high school’s Marine Science classroom.

During Preston’s freshman year, Jerry, his father, was hospitalized with COVID-19 for nearly six weeks—a tough stretch that took a toll on the whole family. To find some relief, Preston, who had been saving his earnings, decided he wanted to pursue scuba certification. Heather recalls his persistence in asking to go to the scuba shop "just to look." She finally took him, and within minutes, he had signed up for the course and bought the gear. "And so, it began…" she reflects.

Jerry had always dreamed of scuba diving with his own father, who tragically passed away in a truck accident before they ever had the chance to dive together. This loss gave Preston's diving goals a deeper significance. He and Jerry shared a special bond over the ocean, and during a trip to the Keys the summer before Jerry became ill with COVID, they talked about diving together on their next visit. Determined to make that dream a reality, Preston earned his initial certification and took on after-school and weekend jobs to pay for each course himself, balancing school, work, and weekend dives. "When he sets his mind to something, it's going to happen!" Heather shares proudly.

Turning 18 was a birthday Preston would never forget. Already a Master Scuba Diver by now, he finally got the chance to dive with the massive sharks he’d dreamed about for years, taking on an unforgettable bull shark dive in Jupiter, Florida. "Getting to dive alongside a massive 16-foot great hammerhead shark, one of the largest hammerheads on record, was a life-changing experience and opportunity," Preston recalls. "Seeing something so rare and unique is definitely something I'll never forget." “He was hooked,” Heather laughs. “After that, all we heard about was getting to Bimini, Bahamas, to dive with hammerheads and tiger sharks.”

Over the summers, Preston had spent time doing shark and ray research, building a deep respect for these creatures. His fascination only grew as he followed the work of the Bimini Shark Lab, a leading centre for shark research and conservation in the Bahamas. “He dreams of working there as an intern one day,” Heather shares. “Bimini has some of the best visibility and the best chances to interact with large sharks.” The birthday dive also sparked a new passion for underwater photography in Preston, and he’s been trying his hand at it ever since. “I fully expect to see him living his best life there, knee-deep with the sharks, one day soon,” Heather.

When the time came to apply for college, Preston faced a familiar challenge with standardised tests. Despite his efforts, the format wasn't one he could conquer easily; he took the tests three times, but the scores didn't reflect his abilities. "I questioned whether taking it again was worth risking his self-esteem," Heather recalls. "The test didn't show who he really was - it didn't capture the weeks he spent holding onto shark tails, collecting DNA, or his knowledge of species identification and advanced scuba techniques." They ultimately chose the ACT, which allowed him extended time, but Preston didn't earn passing scores.

Knowing that his true strengths lay beyond test scores, Preston focused on showing who he was through other means. He built a website linked to his application, where he shared letters of recommendation, photos from internships, his research, scuba certifications, volunteer work, and leadership roles. "It was everything that made him who he is, and I'd 100% recommend it to any student wanting to stand out," Heather says. By choosing test-optional schools that valued his passion and hands-on experience, Preston's unique path led him to Nova Southeastern University - a place where his love for marine science could truly flourish.

He took the tests three times but the scores didn’t reflect who he really was.

At Nova Southeastern, Preston found a program that seemed tailor-made for his aspirations. On his first tour, the university's Marine Biology training facility, home to the Guy Harvey Research Institute, captivated him. "He knew it was where he needed to be," Heather says.

Beyond the standard curriculum, Nova also offers a program in advanced research diving, something that immediately caught Preston's attention. This specialised program would allow him to blend his diving skills with his academic research, diving deeper, literally and figuratively, into his passion for the ocean. He was thrilled to learn that as a freshman, he could apply for Nova's dual degree graduate program, potentially securing a spot in their marine graduate program by his second semester. He's already gearing up to apply in January 2025, excited at the possible opportunities this path would open up for him.

We're thrilled to have found a school that saw Preston for who he is - a leader and a doer, not just a test score.

With the support of his $85,000 scholarship over four years, along with an additional $3,000 scholarship from the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Preston is fully immersed in his journey at Nova. "We're thrilled to have found a school that saw Preston for who he is - a leader and a doer, not just a test score," shares Heather.

For Preston, his determination comes from his hopes of becoming an educator in marine biology. "I've always been passionate about our ocean and all life in it. I've always wanted to be an advocate for sharks, and what better way to do that than get scuba certified," he shares. His work with CMERA and his role as a TA in Mrs Torres's Marine Science class have motivated him to keep making connections and always work hard to do what he loves.

Heather's journey with Preston taught her to trust her instincts and advocate relentlessly. Her advice to other parents is simple and heartfelt: “Always trust your instincts; you know your child better than anyone else.”

Preston Rice

Heather Rice

Always trust your instincts; you know your child better than anyone else. When teachers, schools, doctors, psychologists, resource directors, and administrators won't listen to what you are saying, address questions, or do not seek to help your child, you need to be willing to make drastic changes academically. Your child's education is something that is really scary to take risks with. Find a school that will see your child for who they are. Keep looking until you find the right one, and trust me, you will know when you find it. Tour every school, start early, talk to teachers, and ask questions about teaching methods, classroom environments, learning expectations and outcomes. Many private schools do not offer the resources public schools do for your child, but do not let that scare you into leaving your child in a system that is not best for your child. We opted for a smaller environment where he could thrive in elementary, middle, and high school. We liked the longevity of him being able to stay through high school and getting to know who was teaching him. Remember, teachers and administrators may be experts in learning, but YOU are the expert on what your child needs. Vocalise, speak up, ask for clarification, seek accommodations and help from any resources you can find.

Find something you can get your child involved in that will support their self-esteem and personal growth outside of the classroom. So much of what kids experience is related to school and those wins. Preston once told me he never made it on the Honor Roll or got called up to the stage with his classmates, and that stuck with me. He needed wins outside of school to celebrate. His school did a good job of highlighting those in high school with "Shepherd of the Quarter" and "Scholar of the Quarter" titles, which Preston won multiple times, but he beamed with pride when he spoke about all the scuba certifications he earned and paid for all on his own. He shared his experiences and love for scuba in elementary classrooms, inspiring young children and even leading in a dissection of a shark on a live stream for an assembly in front of the school. All of those things are confidence-builders that kids with learning exceptionalities need. He was an expert at something nobody else in his world was. Find what your child loves, focus on it and make sure THEY love it and are passionate about it. Give up your nights, weekends and time to read every scuba course book to your child, drive them to the classes and tests, drive them to West Palm Beach and sit on the beach with pride during every single dive because every hour invested in your child's self-worth will pay off. All the tears and prayers for your child will pay off, mamas. Your kids are amazing and were meant to do amazing things!

Extracts from Dystinct Magazine