This week is Autism Acceptance Week! We are celebrating by having dress up days, posting information about Autism, and spotlighting current and former students who live with Autism.
Today we would like to spotlight Ben Stangl. Ben is a 2021 CHS graduate who has done amazing things throughout his time at CHS and beyond. Ben had roles in the school musicals Clue and Mama Mia, and was definitely the crowd favorite! He also played in the band and participated in Speech.
Ben’s IEP allowed him to attend his 5th year of high school at STRIVE Academy at DMACC in Ankeny. This program helps students 18-21 learn to live independently. Since attending STRIVE, Ben has been accepted into the UI REACH program at the University of Iowa program at the University of Iowa this fall! REACH is a CTP program (comprehensive transition program). There are only two in the state with the other being at Northwestern.
It was a great achievement for Ben to be accepted into the University of Iowa. Ben is the first student in the area to go REACH. He was recently awarded with the Autism Society of Iowa Scholarship which he plans to use towards the cost of tuition at Iowa.
Ben would like to thank CCSD for everything. He believes he couldn’t have done it without all the teachers, TAs and staffs support over the years. To learn more about Ben and see what he's up to, watch this Spotlight Video below!