May 16th Event To Show Students With Disabilities How To Reach Their Goals And Achieve Their Dreams
Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 will present a transition fair for students with disabilities called “When the Moment is Right, Dare to Dream.” The event will focus on post-high school options and services for students with special needs. It will take place 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Fri., May 16 at the Performing Arts Center and Instructional Building at Hill College (112 Lamar Dr.) in Hillsboro.
The fair will feature Riley Woods, a member of the 2003 Team Everest and Waco attorney with paraplegia as well as Kelly Sinclair, a Temple singer/songwriter. Sinclair, once mis-diagnosed as mentally retarded will welcome participants with a song centered on the event theme. Sinclair is an assistant children’s librarian at the Temple Public Library and former reporter.
“This is an event to assist students in dreaming big and finding ways to make those dreams come true.” said Sharron Stephenson, organizer of this year’s fair and education specialist for ESC Region 12. “Planning is the key to success—with proper planning and knowledge about available services, the possibilities for adult life are limitless.”
Break-out sessions will focus on self-advocacy, community resources, employer trends, driver safety, financial aid, military options and college survival skills. College and agency exhibitors will be onsite with information about available resources. One unique exhibitor/presenter will be The Acoustic Edge Institute, the only mobile electronics, fabrication, custom interior and multimedia school in the Central United States. The company trains and employs individuals with disabilities. The company, located in Houston and Oklahoma City, Okla. will showcase a hummer and Porsche so students can better understand this vocational career.
About Woods and Sinclair
While attending West
Point United States
Military Academy, Woods
suffered a skiing accident,
which resulted in paraplegia.
An avid hiker and outdoorsman,
he wasn't about to let his injury slow him down.
He has sought activities that keep him fit, such
as weight lifting, cycling, swimming and fishing.
He has lived and traveled Europe and developed a
great curiosity and respect for other world regions
and cultures. About the Team Everest '03 expedition,
Riley said:
“I see a greater purpose and meaning behind such a quest. This Mt. Everest climb is not only about my own adventure, but about possibility and hope for a disabled community overcoming adversity to conquer great obstacles in the world. It is a blessing to be a part of this endeavor, which celebrates our present time when disability is no longer an end, but rather the beginning of a life, a time when we can open our minds to discover alternative and creative ways of achieving our goals and dreams. I have a strong will to succeed in whatever I do, and enjoy motivating others to do the same.” Sinclair will welcome students with a song titled, “When the Moment is Right, Dare to Dream.”
Despite being mis-diagnosed as being mentally disabled before beginning elementary school, Sinclair went on to graduate from the University of Texas-Permian Basin summa cum laude with a degree in mass communications. Her message to students will be about persistence, sticking to a goal and not being held back by labels. A former reporter for The Brownfield News, Sinclair comes from a musical family and has performed various styles and across many venues most of her life. She has played back up for bluegrass fiddler sang lead in a progressive rock band and written industrial dance songs. She has also worked many years as a writer and has a contract to publish a novel next year. A poem of hers has been published in the Texas Observer magazine as well.
Although the fair is free and open to sophomores,
juniors and seniors, pre-registration is required.
Lunch will be provided to students at no cost. Interested
individuals should register online for this event
at www.esc12.net and
use Session #28861. For more information, please
contact Sharron Stephenson at 254-297-1152 or sstephenson@esc12.net.
About ESC Region 12
One of 20 centers
throughout Texas, the Education Service Center (ESC)
Region 12 provides professional training and technical
assistance for the purpose of improving student performance
for all students. Based in Waco, with offices in
Nolanville, Corsicana, Goldthwaite, Hillsboro, and
Teague, the Region 12 service area includes Bell,
Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill,
Lampasas, Limestone, Mills, McLennan and Navarro
counties.
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