Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com
Every year, students who display high levels of character and intellectual high ground are voted upon by the Illinois Council Exceptional Children board proclaiming the “Yes, I Can!” award honors.
This year, the council has recognized two Valley View School District students as the recipients of the awards, Jared Gonzalez and Lauren Hrdlicka.
Lauren Hrdlicka accepting her “Yes, I Can!” award.
Gonzalez, a first grade student at R.C Hill in Romeoville was given the award in technology which is the achievement through the use of assistive and adaptive technology devices and equipment, while Hrdlicka, who is a freshman at Bolingbrook High School, was given the award for Academics in a particular subject area such as math, science, reading, social studies, language arts, or foreign language; overall academic achievement; or a high level of achievement on standardized tests. at Jane Addams Middle School.
The “Yes, I Can!” Awards program honors and celebrates the achievements of children and youth (ages 2-21) with exceptionalities.
The purpose of the award is to encourage individuals to seek their highest potential and to increase public awareness of the abilities, aspirations and personal qualities of those with disabilities.
Gonzalez, has been dealing with Cerebral Palsy, a disorder of movement, muscle tone and posture.
As well as dealing with Cerebral Palsy, the first grade award winner has a secondary disability of epilepsy, which was discovered and diagnosed just last year.
“Jared uses both a walker and an adapted stroller to navigate his environment at home, at school and in the community,” said Lauren Winiarski, Jared’s teacher. “Jared is primarily nonverbal and uses a NovaChat, a communication device with voice output, in addition to gestures, to communicate.”
Although most people at Gonzalez’s age, if not any other age would be heavily affected by such conditions, Winiarski said that its Gonzalez that makes the biggest impact on everyone around him, not the other way around.
“Jared is an incredibly endearing, friendly and sweet boy with a contagious smile and a big heart,” Winiarksi said. “He lets you know the minute he is wheeled into school from the bus each morning by enthusiastically vocalizing and waving to all the staff in the room, he makes his presence well-known.”
Winiarksi also said that Gonzalez is one of those students that makes her job easier, and his infectious attitude around other students and teachers is contagious, while making everyone’s day even just a little bit better.
“Jared is one of those students who just tugs at your heartstrings and makes going to work that much more enjoyable because he enjoys coming to school and always aims to please,” Winiarski said. During our daily Morning Meeting routine, Jared very often requests to be the “Greeter of the Day” by selecting his own picture from his binder, and one of Jared’s favorite phrases he uses with both staff and classmates on his device is, “Can I give you a hug?”, he has just developed relationships within his Multi-Needs classroom and cultivates them daily.”
The other recipient of the prestigious award being Hrdlicka who, although is not as talkative, is a diligent and persistent worker.
“Lauren is a quiet but extremely motivated student, we worked on common core standards together, but most of the work was done by her,” said Timothy Sidenstick, Lauren’s teacher. “She advocated for herself, came in for extra help, retakes and asked questions when needed and she has an extremely supportive family and she is/was involved in extracurricular activities. “
Hrdlicka achieved the award by obtaining all As and Bs in her courses, while being diagnosed with a specific learning disability, and having speech and language services.
“She is a student that has a chance of removing her IEP one day because she puts in the hard work and is responsible for her actions and grades,” Sidenstick said. “It is always the hope as a special education teacher to one day see students graduate to being able to do well in school without extra supports or accommodations.”