Today, we come to visit with one of the most popular graduates of WPSD, Scott Berdy, a proud class of 1982 graduate of WPSD. Scott came to WPSD in 1969 as a youngster and became active in sports, clubs, organizations and drama. Scott was senior class president and performed a leading role in “Heidi” on May Day 1982. He also was in the first ever ASL performance of “My Host – The Ghost.” In his senior yearbook, he was voted as “Most Likely to Succeed” and “Best Leader.”
Following his graduation, Scott began his journey to Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. He studied TV Films and Production for nearly four years but realized that there were few job opportunities for Deaf people in the TV Films and Production field. He moved to Florida and studied Computer Aided Drafting/Design (CAD) in Civil 3D. He then moved to Huntington Beach, California and has worked for GEO Syntec for 24 years as an environmental/civil engineer. Today, he is a CAD manager specializing in landfill designing. he is very proud to be the 8th oldest of 800 enployees!
His life accomplishments include becoming a CAD manager, raising two fine Deaf boys, Sean (19) and Tyler (16), and leading a good life with his wife of 26 years, Terrie, whom he loves dearly. Sean is currently a star on “Switched at Birth”, Tuesdays on ABC Family channel. Sean also acted in “Sandlot 2” and “Legend of the Mountain Man” films. Tyler, a golf enthusiast and a 13-handicapper, dreams of becoming a successful professional golfer.
Scott said he has so many wonderful memories of WPSD. He loved socializing with his peers and enjoyed his time as a Monitor (now called Peer Mentor). When asked how WPSD prepared him for life, he responded with three words: Discipline, Responsibility and Cleanliness. He taught his sons the importance of these 3 traits and today they are becoming wonderful people!
His advice to our current WPSD students: Once you have a dream, reach it! Don’t go down the wrong path. Follow your heart. Also, reading and writing are very important as they apply to your lives everyday!