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      Recent News
SIATech Student Overcomes Obstacles and Wins the Yes I Can! Award for Academics
LOS ANGELES-March 10, 2006-Jenny Palacios, a special education student at the School for Integrated Academics and Technologies (SIATech) located at the Los Angeles Job Corps Center, received notification of her award for academics by the Yes I Can! Foundation for Exceptional Children.
Palacios is a remarkable example of the ability to overcome obstacles as a teenage parent with a learning disability. Through the SIATech program, Palacios earned her high school diploma while working part-time and caring for her two young children. Prior to enrolling at Job Corps and SIATech, Palacios received no government assistance or family support. After graduating from SIATech and Job Corps, Palacios now works as a full-time secretary and will attend junior college next year. She plans to earn her college degree and become a teacher.
Palacios was nominated for the award by her teacher, Leebrina Blackwill, special education coordinator of SIATech, Los Angeles. Blackwill explained, "Jenny was [functionally] illiterate when she arrived in my class, and she did not know how to write her name, remember important details, or read street signs. She has shown outstanding improvement, and she has made huge gains academically."
The SIATech program makes a concerted effort to reach out to struggling students like Palacios. "It is refreshing to work in an environment where 'Inclusion' is more of an attitude than a place. Our innovative instructors strive to discover the 'open door' with our students then provide them with individualized support, education, and services," commented Diane Fairchild, Director of Special Education Services.
"This is just one more excellent example of the transformational experience that so many students go through during their enrollment at SIATech. It brings tears to my eyes to think that this young woman now has a legitimate chance at a real future and hope for her life. It truly brings into focus 'Real Learning for Real Life,'" said Linda Dawson, Superintendent and CEO of SIATech.
View a digital portfolio of Jenny Palacios' work online at www.siatech.org/palacios.
About the Yes I Can! International Awards Program
The Foundation for Exceptional Children established the Yes I Can! International Awards Program in 1981 to acknowledge the achievements of children and youth with disabilities; to overcome barriers caused by public misconceptions; to encourage children and youth with disabilities to seek their highest potential; and to increase public awareness of the abilities, aspirations, and personal qualities of people with disabilities. Twenty-seven international award winners will receive a bronze statue and other recognition at the CEC Annual Convention in April 2006 in Salt Lake City. More information on the Yes I Can! Foundation for Exceptional Children can be found at http://yesican.cec.sped.org. More information on the CEC Annual Convention can be found at http://www.cec.sped.org/conventions/SaltLake_2006.
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