The League School’s Pathfinders Program is an academic-track program for middle school and high school-aged students challenged by Asperger’s Syndrome. The goal of the program is to prepare students to pass the MCAS and go on to either employment or college following graduation. League School has sent several Pathfinders students to community colleges in recent years. This year, however, a student has emerged who has come so far and performed so well that he is currently applying to 4 year state colleges.
Brian is an 18 year old senior with a 3.5 cumulative GPA across 4 years in the Pathfinders Program. He is a member of the League School student council, participates in off-campus internships, and serves as a mentor and role model for other students both in and outside of the Pathfinders Program. He has also worked as a sales associate after school and on weekends to help support his dream of attending college. Brian has had to work very hard to achieve his goals. He credits the League School with starting him in the right direction and helping him realize his academic and social potential. “If something needs to be addressed you must fix it before it gets worse.” says Brian, referring to some of the challenges that brought him to the League School as a middle school student. “I used to view academics as a means to an end, which is being done with school. I didn’t really see the point in it, but now I see my academic success as a means to how far I can go. The League School showed me the importance of academics so I could see the bigger picture.”
Brian is interested in pursuing one of two potential degrees in college. First, he enjoys the field of computer science, and in particular is attracted to video game design. “Video games are a means of escapism for a lot of people,” Brian explained. “They exist as a positive pick-me-up.” One game, titled Tales of Vesperia, is attractive to Brian because it mirrors his journey at the League School and demonstrates the benefits of teamwork. The game consists of multiple players who get together to form a team in Medieval society. The team’s goals are to root out corruption and to create a peaceful and prosperous community. “The main thing you do is convert beliefs from negative to positive outlooks, thereby changing the world one person at a time.” noted Brian. Brian believes that a degree in computer science can help enable him to create video games like this to help other students impacted by some of the same academic and social challenges as him. These video games can be fun to play, but serve a larger role in addressing the needs of those who struggle with concepts of self-advocacy and teamwork. “Video games like this help students realize they can be a part of a group and the group can help support each other.” said Brian. When asked about other potential fields of study in college, Brian said that he is also considering a degree in Art. Brian enjoys drawing sketches of human figures. His drawings provide a life lesson to the viewer by enabling them to recognize facial expressions and other emotional responses in the context of the background behind the human image. “I like drawing these images because it helps people take responsibility for their own actions.” explained Brian.
The League School also assisted Brian by addressing his social challenges so that he is more capable of successfully navigating social situations. “Being a strong self-advocate makes you the person you should be.” said Brian. “The League School taught me the importance of being yourself and speaking up when you see something wrong or have questions.” Corinne, one of Brian’s teachers at the League School, praised Brian’s growth into a strong self-advocate. “Brian asks for clarification if he is unsure, and during community trips he initiates conversations with store clerks if he has question about an item. Brian wasn’t always comfortable asking for help, and it is evidence of how much he has grown that he now feels so comfortable as a self-advocate.” However, Brian’s ability to advocate is not only limited to himself. He is conscious of how situations impact his peers and often reaches out to them, and to teachers, if he sees a peer in need of support. “I like to make sure everyone feels included.” says Brian. “During gym and lunch I look around to make sure everyone has somebody to sit with and I’ll invite them over if they feel lonely.”
Brian is a role model not only because of his actions; his peers in the Pathfinders Program and throughout the school look up to him because of his maturity and friendly personality. “He was a job coach for younger students at Pathfinders Publishing, teaching them to use software programs and to complete other tasks in the vocational center.” said Corinne. She also noted that Brian recently registered to vote at his town hall and earned his learner’s permit because, like most teenagers, he wants to obtain his driver’s license in the future.
There are many success stories at the League School. We wanted to share this student spotlight because of the inspiration that Brian brings to our school community. We will miss Brian when he graduates in the spring, but his actions as a student leader will continue to resonate with younger students in the Pathfinders Program who have looked up to Brian as a strong peer role model. Everyone at the League School wishes Brian the best in all his future endeavors!
