"I didn't want to have to take it for the rest of my life," he said. Instead he has learned to remove distractions, allow himself enough time for homework and constantly keep his goals in sight.

He also looked down the road when it came to taking standardized tests. ADHD qualified him for extra time on the tests, but he decided not to take advantage of that.

"In real life I'm not going to be allotted extra time," he said.

Proud's decisions have really been put to the test this school year, when he moved into an apartment across the street from school with his 20-year-old brother, rather than living with his father in Manoa or his mother on the Big Island. He has had to learn time management, balancing his schoolwork and extracurricular activities with housework.

"Since I haven't had my parents there to help me, I've had to bring out my potential," he said. He has managed to maintain a 3.38 grade point average, score 1280 on his SATs, compete on the school's kayaking team, surf, and sing for local funk rock band Suspected Collective. He also performs in Punahou's chorale and guitar ensemble.

"I think I've been doing pretty well this year," he said.

The Horatio Alger National Association of Distinguished Americans Inc. agreed, having awarded Proud a $10,000 college scholarship. He is looking forward to traveling to Washington, D.C., next month to accept the award.

At least 12 other Hawai'i students have won Horatio Alger scholarships in the past 12 years. The scholarships were first awarded in 1986.

"I guess the reason they selected me was they had a sense that I was appreciative of my place in life and I really know the cards I've been dealt and played them appropriately," Proud said.

Proud plans to use the scholarship to attend Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash. He wants to wait to see what the college has to offer before deciding on a major, but he's interested in psychology.

What advice would you give to other students who want to follow your example?

"Make sure you have support from other people. It's always helpful to have someone there," Proud said.

Who helped you?

Proud credits his family: "My mom, even though she hasn't been here this year ... my brother because it's nice having someone there for me ... and my dad (a Punahou teacher) because I get to see him around campus and (he) invites me over to eat dinner sometimes."