What are your interests and hobbies?
I enjoy dancing and writing stories as my hobbies.
What activity do you enjoy the most during the winter?
I like staying warm in the winter and watching movies. I also love Christmas.
What is your preferred winter drink?
I like to drink Cappuccinos in the wintertime.
If I were to provide you with $50,000 to create a positive impact in your community, how would you use it to bring about meaningful change?
I would like to start a dance class for members of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma (DSACO).
Have you ever had any prior work experiences or volunteer opportunities?
In the past, I worked as a hostess at a restaurant called Pickles. I also volunteered at the DSACO event, the Buddy Walk, where I handed out water.
Could you share your experience with the WAT program?
In high school, I participated in the DRS service called Work Adjustment Training (WAT) at the DRTC location.
What is something you learned from the WAT program?
I learned many skills during WAT at DRTC, such as hospitality, and I still use that skill at home.
What type of work are you currently doing & how long have you been employed? For the last six years, I have been working for Sooner SUCCESS as a project manager assistant/receptionist.
Can you share one challenge you've faced due to your disability and how you managed to overcome it?
One challenge I face is being flexible when it comes to changes in my routine. I overcome this by advocating for myself and communicating my needs to be successful with these changes.
What advice or tips would you offer to other young people who are looking to start working after high school?
Connect with DRS to start looking for a job before you graduate from high school.
What strategies do you use to maintain a positive attitude and keep your enthusiasm high, even during busy or stressful periods?
I like to listen to music, dance and make people laugh. While at work, I sometimes use EarPods to cancel out distracting noises.
Can you share a situation where you've had to adapt to a new environment or learn something new? How did you approach that experience?
I go with the flow of things, but if the boss asks me to do something, I do it.
How do you approach seeking and embracing new opportunities for personal growth and development?
By doing my best at work. I was recognized in 2019 with the Employee of the Year award by the Oklahoma City Mayor’s Committee on Disability Concerns. Mayor David Holt was there and personally presented me with the award.
What is the most significant goal or dream you wish to achieve in your lifetime?
My most significant goal was to connect with DRS so they could help me find a job after high school. Another goal of mine is to own a dance studio one day and I would love to be on the TV show "Dancing with the Stars."
What would you like the world to know about you?
I want the world to know that I’ve watched the movie "The Outsiders" over 1,000 times. I’m a superfan, and I’ve met many of the actors in real life, including Ponyboy (C. Thomas Howell), Johnny Cade (Ralph Macchio) and others. I also had the chance to meet one of the writers, S.E. Hinton. Many of "The Outsiders" cast know me because I attend events hosted by "The Outsiders." I’ve even written my own "Outsiders" story.
Is there anyone specific you'd like to give a shoutout to?
The most important people in my life are my mother, my dad, my boyfriend, my work family and "The Outsiders" cast members.
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