High School High Tech Student Highlights
The Able Trust’s High School High Tech program gives high school students with disabilities experiences in job exploration and connections to postsecondary education resources. High School High Tech opens up a world of possibilities helping students see a future they might never have imagined.
Jakel
Before joining Leon County’s High School High Tech program, Jakel was very reserved and reluctant to join any school activities. He believed college was not for him, and had his mind set on going straight into the workforce upon graduation. However, with the encouragement of former Leon HSHT coordinator Chris Carlberg, Jakel blossomed into a sociable, professional and driven young man. In his junior year, he was voted HSHT Vice President for his school and subsequently voted HSHT President during his senior year.
Jakel has become an advocate for young adults with disabilities through participating in the Florida Youth Leadership Forum and Family Café Youth Committee. He is now enrolled at Tallahassee State College with plans to transfer to Florida State University to major in computer science. Jakel attributes much of his success, leadership prowess, and future career goals to High School High Tech.
Thermon
A Vocational Rehabilitation client through Family Partnerships of Central Florida, Thermon wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, who owned his own barbecue business. The 2022 High School High Tech graduate got the opportunity to experience the culinary industry when he participated in an on-the-job training opportunity as a prep cook and front-of-house worker at Seminole BBQ.
Thermon established himself as a reliable worker and fast learner, offering valuable input above and beyond the usual assigned duties of his positions. For example, he noticed Seminole BBQ served a wide variety of fried foods like french fries, mushrooms, okra and more. Thermon also noticed the restaurant was not using many of the tomatoes they purchased, and asked the owner why they didn’t offer fried tomatoes. That question led to the creation of their newest menu item—fried green tomatoes. This innovation is right in line with Thermon’s work ethic; he is always asking to work more, stay late, or come in early.
Thermon is now on track to graduate from the Second Harvest Culinary program later this fall.
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