WSD PRESS RELEASE
The journey to college is a significant milestone for any student, but it represents a particularly transformative and empowering opportunity for those in special education programs. Wahluke School District is happy to announce that three Wahluke High School Life Skills graduating students will embark on this journey this fall. Juan Ramos 19, Asuzena Cruz 18, and Anisleydi Prudente 20 have all been accepted to participate in WSU’s ROAR Program.
Washington State University Responsibility Opportunity Advocacy and Respect (WSU ROAR) Program is a two-year inclusive postsecondary education program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in the WSU College of Education in Pullman, Washington.
WSU ROAR provides individualized programs of study in education, vocation, social skills, and independent living through person-centered planning. It is also an employment-focused program that will provide individualized services consistent with each student’s preferences, interests, strengths, and needs so that they can prepare for and engage in competitive integrated employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency after program completion.
Asuzena is the first WHS Life Skills student to graduate and attend college. Juan and Ani are the first WHS Life Skills students to go from the Wahluke Transition Learning Center (WTLC) and go to college.
All three students have been awarded scholarships that amounted to more than $25,000 each. They also received scholarships from various associations, such as Paul Lauzier Scholarship, ROAR Scholarship Fund, BECU Scholarship, WSU Athletics ROAR Scholarship, and Pell Grants. These scholarships have made it possible for the first year of the WSU ROAR program to be paid for.
WSD staff share their thoughts and excitement about seeing these students graduate and attend college. Betty Aznaran, the WTLC Teacher at WHS, shares her feelings: "Extremely happy. Accomplished. Wishing for them to be more successful in life”. Betty has worked with Asuzena, Juna, and Ani. She says that she is “proud of them!" Zenaida Fernandez, who is a Life Skills Paraprofessional at WHS, who has also worked with them, shares that "It will be bitter-sweet to see these students graduate because they have so many obstacles, and they have overcome them and now can go to college."
Christine Lounsbury, WHS Life Skills Teacher states "I always knew they had greatness in them, and now we are seeing the full manifestation of their greatness. We can't wait to bring new students in the fall because now they are ambassadors of the program. Go ROAR!". Alice Jaakola WHS English Teacher, who was Ani’s Warrior Time - Homeroom teacher for four years, shares that she admires Ani for her leadership, initiative in helping others, positive attitude, and caring demeanor. She states, “I credit her family for raising a confident and capable young woman.” Jonathan Betz, WSD’s Garden and Sustainability, also shared his appreciation for their work in the garden, “Their efforts made the garden happen and impacted everyone as they were able to serve others by sharing what was grown in the garden.” These statements testify that all three students have impacted their schools, peers, staff and our district and will continue to do so on this new journey.
LaDonna WSD’s Special Education Director, states, "When Betty and I started this program four years ago, we had no idea what the impact would truly be for our students. Sending kids to college, off to work at different job training sites, and learning lifelong skills is just the beginning. I am so proud of our staff for their mindset. The sky's the limit!.”
As for Juan, Asuzena, and Ani, they are excited to attend college. When he received the news, Juan stated, “I was so excited, and my family was as excited and very emotional.” He is excited to meet new people and be in a different environment. Asuzena shares that she is the first in her family to graduate and attend college, “I am excited to be able to have this experience as a first in my family.” Ani shares that she is extremely excited and a bit nervous. She states, “Even though I will be away from home, I can always call my family.” All three students will enter this program together and are excited to have a familiar face to lean on and make new friends and memories with.
With the help of the scholarships and the network surrounding these fantastic students, it will enable them to pursue their dreams and overcome barriers. These remarkable students can leverage their scholarships to embrace college life, navigate challenges, and contribute their unique perspectives to the academic community. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.
