STAGES Spotlight on Ben

Ben AKA Speedy,

My 1st day at STAGES was on 3/8/05.

I have job trained at the USF Card Center and Golf course.

I got payed at the Golf Course for 3 weeks. I had to resign; because I had to be there at 5am in the morning, and the hours were getting too much.

I'm 21 years old.

I like to run Cross-country and Track.

I play pool when I have time.

I've won against Rank #2 player around USF.

I'm a Tournament Director for Yahoo Pool league called Wildangels.

STAGES has helped me meet new people and reunite with old friends.

I visited a Theatre Class which was fun.

I'm currently looking for a job.

I am the Vice President for Best Buddies STAGES USF.

I am now the person who has been in STAGES the longest. My experience has been great. I have been elected to become President for STAGES. So far I have job trained at the Card Center, Golf Course, Andros, and FMHI Mail Center.  I did get paid at the Golf Course, but the morning hours from 5-9am were too much for me. I am now working at Argos 5 days a week 11-4:30 making about $400/paycheck!

I'll be 22 in a week and a half. I like to run cross-country and track. I play pool when I have time. I've won against the ranked #2 player around USF. I'm a Tournament Director for Yahoo Dominoes league called Simplydoms. I am the Admin of the Lostcherry website and a skins (html/css) expert where I make backgrounds so that people's pages look good.

STAGES has helped me meet new people and reunite with old friends. I visited a theatre class which was fun. I am the President for Best Buddies STAGES USF. I'm currently looking for anothe rjob. I applied at Cheddars on Causeway Blvd on 5/3/07. I hope to accomplish a lot more before I leave the program on May 24, 2007.

I am the Admin of the Lostcherry website and a skins(html/css) expert where I make backgrounds so that people's pages look good.

Ben

Updated May 2007

From the Aunt: "This has been a WONDERFUL experience for Ben. It gave him more self-confidence, more experience of the real world in a microcosmic type way. A transitional program like this should be MANDATORY for every special ed child, and not just for the lucky few who qualify."