KSU The Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth | OWL OBSERVER | November 2019 | Issue 4

OWL OBSERVER

Issue 4

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OWL OBSERVER

November, 2019 The Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth

Thankful EDITION 4

It is easy to enjoy this time of the year. The weather gets a little crisp, and there is a certain fall scent in the air.

Additionally, and more importantly, there is an enhanced opportunity to spend the holidays with your family and friends. This has been a blessed term for us, and I am very thankful for our students and our staff. We have been able to participate in a lot of good things over the past three months, and our students have benefitted from those many experiences.

Over the past year, there have been several transitions, and there are Unified Games is a Big Success likely many more on the horizon. As you think about the upcoming holidays, I encourage each of you to think about members in our community that may be having a challenging year or facing some unexpected difficulties and take the time to offer them grace and assistance. An act of kindness can make the world a different place. I end with a short quote by Les Brown, “Help others achieve their dreams, and you will achieve yours.”

Neil Duchac

Unified Games Equals Fun and Sport for Everyone Our new partnership with Health and Physical Education has been a big success. Degree-seeking students taking HPE courses assist our students by providing adaptive physical fitness and promoting inclusion through sport.

We began our six-week adventure with kickball (pictured above), weeks 3 and 4 flag football, and weeks 5 and 6 basketball. Students have fun competing, getting exercise, and learning the rules of several sports. Look for future events!

Academy Announcements 11/13 – 11/14 - SOTA Conference.

11/15/2019 – Turkey Trot at The Perch: 3 pm.

11/18/2019 – Rise Against Hunger Food Packaging Event at the Student Center: 10am.

11/18/2019 – Academy Open House HS 1101 Prillaman Hall 3pm to 5pm.

11/22/2019 – Movie Night Prillaman Hall Indoor Plaza HS 1101: 1 pm.

11/25/2019 – 12/01/2019 – Thanksgiving Holidays: No School.

11/25/2019 – Home Football Game vs. Gardner-Webb: 2 pm.

12/09/2019 – Last Day of Class for First Semester.

12/10/2019 – Final Exams Begin.

12/16/2019 – 01/05/2020 – Winter Break No School.

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Scholarship Luncheon At a recent scholarship luncheon hosted by Kennesaw State’s Office of University Development, donors had the opportunity to meet the students whose lives they have impacted. Two of our students, Cassius Riley and Malik Maxie, were fortunate to have their donor, Ms. Jill Sloan, in attendance.

This year’s luncheon attracted over 340 people, with most of them being donors and scholars. The reception first started in the 1980s and the 2019 event is believed to be the largest ever. Thank you so much to our generous benefactors.

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Academy Halloween Bash The Academy celebrated Halloween this year with a fun-filled party organized and co-hosted by students from the Strategic Management class. Activities included games, pumpkin painting, food, door prizes, music, movies, and so much more.

Our students participated in a costume contest with first place going to Emily Bowman as the Cat in the Hat and second place went to Zac Law as the Underminor from The Incredibles. All the students who participated in the contest looked awesome. It was hard for the judges to choose a winner. We had a corn hole competition, Connect 4, and prize wheel as well. Thanks to the parents, family and friends who attended!

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Welcome to our new Program Advisors!

Sarah Cox, a Program Advisor for the Academy, is a graduate of the University of North Georgia. She majored in Business Management and will be helping the students find and retain internships. She is eager to help the students pursue what they are passionate about. Sarah loves to spend time with her new husband, Daniel!

They were married in early October and traveled to Italy for their honeymoon! She also enjoys cooking, watching movies, and being outdoors.

Matthew Sorenson received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Kennesaw State University. Before joining the Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth, Matt worked with transfer students in Academic Affairs. As Program Advisor, he enjoys connecting students with their passions and career goals.

Outside of work, he enjoys travel, cooking, and hiking.

We enjoyed another collaborative event with the Strategic Management Class to celebrate our 10 years in existence as an IPSE program.

Game Night was a big success with students participating in a variety of activities. The night culminated with karaoke where our students displayed their great singing talents.

Students from the girls’ soccer team and the football team joined us in the celebrations.

Thanks to everyone who helped plan and participated in the event. We are always thankful for our partnerships with organizations on campus and the impact they make on our program.

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Supporting Job Skills with Amerigroup Amerigroup has partnered with the Academy in an effort to support career development for students with disabilities. The event is designed to promote a more diverse and inclusive workforce. Amerigroup representatives led sessions focused on topics related to interviewing, career building and networking. The sessions were followed by a luncheon and reception that included a grant presentation. The monies donated to the program will help support our scholarship fund.

Escape Room – Students had some great

Halloween fun in their Professional Communication class with a team building exercise at the Bagwell College of Education’s Upside-Down Escape Room and Innovation Lab. Students worked together to figure out how to “escape” with a Stranger Things theme. We are fortunate to have such great resources on campus to enhance our curriculum.

Karate– Students can learn karate

skills from a real martial arts teacher and Academy social mentor. They meet for one hour on Tuesday afternoons to learn basic karate skills and tricks. The class has been modified specifically for our students, so no prior experience is required. All students are welcome to participate. Contact Sarah Wyatt to sign up.

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Word Search The first five students to successfully complete the word search will receive a prize!