Hyun James Kim / Special to the Home News
Foothill High School sophomore Dallas Brannum, center, smiles while sorting through a pile of envelopes while working with her friend Brittnay McCarty at Nevada State College as part of the Ve-hicle program.
Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 | 5:44 p.m.
Ryan Alsadka, a member of the Nevada State College and Foothill High School's collaborated Ve-hicle project, (Vocational Education - Higher Institution Collaborative Learning Experience), works on shredding various documents at Nevada State College.
Ryan Williams operates the scanner while working at the Nevada State College campus off Water Street. Williams, a senior at Foothill High School, is participating in the Ve-hicle Project, which stands for Vocational Education - Higher Institution Collaborative Learning Experience.
In a Nevada State College office, Dallas Branum stuffed envelopes while her peers shredded documents and compiled student recruitment packets on Dec. 2. But Branum and her cohorts were not employees, nor were they Nevada State students.
They are part of the college's Ve-hicle (Vocational Education — Higher Institution Collaborative Learning Experience ) project, which gives Foothill High School special needs students a glimpse of potential post-graduation work environments. Various Nevada State staff and faculty members have volunteered to team with nine students twice a month and help them meet vocational, social and communication benchmarks.
"I think it has many benefits," Foothill special education teacher Pam Charles said. "They learn to take direction from other people and are exposed to a lot more tasks that I would not have available at school."
For 1 1/2 hours, students are found sorting mail, filling copy machines and performing computer work. But the partnership has a broader scope than those assignments.
At the beginning of the year, students completed a survey with personal information and their likes and dislikes. Nevada State staff members are given biographies of each student that delve into their personalities and idiosyncrasies. College staff volunteers are also given a list of goals for each student.
For the vocational aspect, a student may be expected by the end of the year to complete work with a certain number of verbal prompts. Social objectives may include initiating conversation a certain number of times per day.
Since the beginning of this school year, Charles has already seen progress.
"I think they're feeling a little more independent and more comfortable away from me," she said. "They're more confident they're able to achieve things."
Charles' students also seek other vocational opportunities, assisting at James and Rae Smalley Elementary School, as well as shopping for school supplies at Sam's Club.
Students began working at Nevada State last year.
"I really tried to think about the students, what levels they were and where they would be successful," Charles said.
For Nevada State associate professor of education Rho Hudson, the program provides a learning experience for her, as well.
"Because I'm a special education teacher, I want to stay in touch working with students with special needs," she said. "When I help college students, I'll still be in touch with what I'm talking about."
Branum, 16, said her time spent at Nevada State was fun.
"I think it's a good time," she said. "Here you can get an education and get a job."
Monica Abizmil, 19, who routinely stuffs envelopes and hole punches, expressed a similar sense of satisfaction.
"I get to do different things," she said. "I'm excited to go here."
Dave Clark can be reached at 990-2677 or [email protected].
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