As we continue to share student stories and testimonials throughout the next few weeks, we hope everyone enjoys learning all about the fascinating young adults in the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S Social Personal Skills Program. We are very proud of our students and their efforts to adjust to online classes and virtual learning amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

This week we are highlighting Catherine, an 11^th grade student at Cypress Bay High School. Catherine has a unique story, she learned to read, write, and access Braille at an early age.  This experience has been essential along her educational and life journey. Her favorite subjects in school are English and History. By participating in the Social Personal Skills (B.R.I.D.G.E.S) class, Catherine has made new friends. She interacts well with her peers in both an educational and social setting.  She looks forward to the weekly Community Based Instruction (CBI) field trips the program offers. She feels that these experiences have helped her learn how to manage money, open a bank account, and improve her cooking skills.

Catherine has several goals she would like to accomplish; her biggest one is to attend Broward College and then transfer to Nova Southeastern University (NSU). She feels that transitioning to post-secondary is one of the biggest challenges she will have to overcome. Once Catherine transitions from high school to college, she plans on studying Environmental Policy at NSU.

On the weekends, Catherine enjoys reading books, watching movies, and learning how to make new recipes. She also likes to go swimming at the pool and enjoys working out at the gym. One of her favorite things to do is to travel to new destinations with her family. We are very proud of Catherine’s accomplishments throughout her junior year and look forward to having her in the Social Personal Skills (B.R.I.D.G.E.S) class during her senior year.

Throughout the next few weeks, the HDS Foundation will be highlighting several students from the Cypress Bay High School and Homestead Senior High School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Social Personal Skills Program. We are proud of each student and their accomplishments throughout the school year. We look forward to another successful year with them in 2021.

Today, we’d like to highlight Blake, an 11th-grade student at Cypress Bay High School. Blake enjoys going to school, learning new things, and spending time with his friends. He likes cooking, baking, and helping his mom fold and put away the laundry.

One of Blake’s strengths is socializing and having great conversations with his classmates. He expressed that he is confident when he talks to others and can stay calm and relaxed. Asking questions is a challenge for Blake; he is working to become more assertive and asking questions when he doesn’t understand the subject at hand.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the learning platform for all students, Blake has acclimated well to virtual learning and has thrived through these unprecedented times. Although he enjoys being around his friends at school, he is doing very well in keeping up with his assignments and deadlines. He enjoys the Social Personal Skills (B.R.I.D.G.E.S.) class and has made many friends along the way. He feels that the course has given him various opportunities that have helped him become more independent.

In his spare time, Blake likes to play video games. After high school, his goal is to be a gamer and develop donation streams to raise money for multiple charities. Blake considers himself a talented singer; his dream is to be on American Idol and be recognized for his unique voice.