Born with a genetic mutation that led to complete hearing loss before his first birthday, Devon Kiessling learned with the help of cochlear implants and through hard work how to listen and speak.
Once able to hear, he also became adept at turning the volume down on doubters, proving them wrong at seemingly every turn while navigating a challenging and inspirational path to remarkable success.
The recent Saint Joseph High School of Metuchen graduate transformed himself into an honor roll student and three-sport varsity athlete involved in myriad clubs and extensive community service.
His rigorous course load included four Advanced Placement classes, three of which are regarded among the college preparatory school’s most difficult. His athletic prowess resulted in a second-place finish at the 2023 NJSIAA Individual Tournament Championships as a member of Saint Joseph’s two-time defending state champion bowling team. His club involvement included work with Falcons and Friends to help special needs children and adults. His community service assisted the hearing-impaired, Special Olympics athletes, developmentally disabled individuals, food-insecure families, and others.
For his volunteerism, ability to overcome adversity, and academic and athletic success, Kiessling is the recipient of a Marisa Tufaro Foundation Greater Middlesex Conference Student-Athlete Scholarship.
Established in its namesake’s loving memory in 2017, the foundation has donated nearly $350,000 to fulfill its mission of assisting pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
The nonprofit has also spearheaded multiple initiatives resulting in the collection of thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter coats, baby supplies, school supplies, and other items for donation upon which it has placed no monetary value.
In addition, the foundation has awarded 46 scholarships totaling $33,000 to high school seniors.
Marisa Tufaro survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing to a rare form of cancer in 2017 following a valiant battle. She was just 13 years old.
Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctor’s appointments, Marisa Tufaro was an Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities who lived a vibrant life that inspired others including Kiessling.
Kiessling came a long way from the toddler who attended a preschool for hearing impaired children to a high school senior with a 4.52 cumulative grade-point average who mastered not only English but German, becoming a four-time medalist on the National German Exam while earning a prestigious Global Seal of Biliteracy.
“Devon has grown into an exceptional German student through his strong work ethic and commitment to his goals,” said Saint Joseph World Languages Department Chair and German teacher Petra Jones, noting Kiessling works twice as hard as other students.
“Devon decided early on in class that German was his thing and he wanted to excel in it. In German, the word is ‘stolz,’ and in any language, his hard work and perseverance translates to making all of us at Saint Joe’s very proud.”
Kiessling was a member of the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, National German Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. He was a member of the Computer Club, served as secretary of the German Club and as an ambassador and tour guide at Saint Joseph open house events.
Considering his profound hearing loss, what Kiessling, who will attend Indiana Wesleyan University this fall, has accomplished in his young life, including lettering in cross country and track and field, is truly astonishing.
Ambient noise, such as the hum of an air conditioner, for example, can adversely impact how Kiessling hears with the assistance of cochlear implants.
The implants, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, receive sound from the outside environment, process it, and send small electric currents near the auditory nerve. The electric currents activate the nerve, which sends a signal to the brain. The brain learns to recognize the signal and the person experiences the process as hearing. The result, however, is not the same as normal hearing.
Kiessling thrived at Saint Joseph and developed myriad ways to pay forward the school community’s kindness.
His National Honor Society project helped Saint Joseph resurrect its astronomy lab. He created the “Rolling with Falcons” bowling program through which Kiessling and several teammates coached developmentally disabled adults on the lanes. He also organized two bowling tournaments to help raise money for Summit Speech School and the Saint Joseph High School tuition assistance program.
“His growth and development on the lanes since the day I have met him is unmatched by any student I have ever come across in my 22 years of instructing junior bowlers,” said Saint Joseph head coach Rusty Thomsen, whose team recently placed ninth in a national tournament.
“On or off the lanes, Devon is never satisfied with his performance and has a burning desire to succeed to the best of his ability. His mental game is second to none as he is wise and mature well beyond his young age. He is extremely confident, respectful, coachable, and makes his teammates better without even saying a word.
“His kind heart and willingness to help people out are a reflection of his values and his work ethic.”
