Reading, writing and running a business. Yes, the Lenape Regional High School District has a different spin on “the three R’s” as its transition service program continues to grow.
Ashlee Barton is a senior at Seneca High School. For the last two years, in addition to her usual requirements as a high school student, she’s been learning the ins and outs of running A Rose in December, a floral shop on Stokes Road in Medford. The goal of the program is to prepare students for careers once their education ends.
“Through this mentorship, Ashley has learned life skills, including processing of flowers, customer service and marketing,” LRHSD job developer Kim Mileszko said.
December Giberson-Shover, owner of A Rose in December, has been a member of the district’s transition service program for more than five years.
“It teaches students a lot that they won’t learn in the classroom about what it takes to run a business day to day,” Giberson-Shover said.
In addition to handling customers and maintaining the store, the students who work in the shop are required to research a charitable organization and create a marketing plan to bring to Giberson-Shover. The goal is to hold a fundraiser for an organization that is close to the student’s heart. Barton’s choice was Compassionate Friends Therapeutic Riding Center in Medford.
CFTRC provides structured horsemanship programs specifically designed to achieve maximum therapeutic benefit for individuals with special needs.
Therapeutic riding, taught by a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International instructor, provides structured horsemanship programs for individuals with special needs. Individual programs assist each rider to meet their goal and develop independent skills that often carry over to the students’ everyday lives.
“CFTRC has made a huge impact on our riders’ lives. Their progress is remarkable and rewarding, especially when witnessed over time. Each rider shows improvement in different ways,” CFTRC president and program director Sherri Briggs said on the organization’s website. “We have witnessed nonverbal students become inspired to communicate and speak.
Another example is one student that came to their first lesson in a walker and has steadily become strong enough to walk without assistance. Many riders achieve a steadily increasing level of independence from the assistance of leaders and side walkers on the ground. Other riders are able to realize the goal of being able to ride a horse on their own with little assistance from volunteers on the ground.”
Barton knows the lessons she’s learned while working are ones that will stick with her for the long term.
“It’s been really great to learn how a business is run from the ground up,” Barton said. “I’ve learned a lot.”
For many students, this is their first experience working, but Giberson-Shover remains impressed by their commitment and ability to learn.
“This is a program that does a lot of good, that other businesses should support. They’re good kids. My hope is they become permanent employees after they graduate,” Giberson-Shover said.
