D158 LIGHT program student wins international award through Council for Exceptional Children
HUNTLEY – On Jan. 20, D’Andre Chapman, a student in the Huntley Community School District 158’s (D158) 18-22 LIGHT transition program was awarded the 2022 “YES I CAN!” Award in the Arts on behalf of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).
The LIGHT program was launched in 2013 and serves students with disabilities who have completed the requirements for high school graduation but who opt to delay acceptance of their diploma to receive additional services to help transition from school to post-secondary life.
Chapman was honored at the annual CEC Convention & Expo, where each year, the YES I CAN! Awards recognize 12 outstanding students with “exceptionalities” who are celebrated for their achievement in the Arts, Academics, School & Community Activities, Self-Advocacy, Technology, and Transition.
D158’s Director of Elementary Special Services Jackie Allen was the individual who nominated Chapman for the award. He was ultimately selected for his work through the “Dance with D’Andre” initiative at D158.
“Dance with D’Andre” was a class created and taught by Chapman for fellow D158 students and staff to learn dance and spread positivity.
“Earning the YES I CAN! Award was such an honor,” said Chapman. “Earning it meant to me that children with disabilities can succeed in life.”
According to a D158 press release, the “Dance with D’Andre” initiative was first crafted as part of Chapman’s post-secondary LIGHT curriculum, which works to prepare special education students with tools for career readiness, independent living, and more.
“Dancing has always been a passion of mine because it always inspires me. Dancing just makes me feel happy. I have three favorite types of music and they are pop, R&B, and hip hop and with those three genres, I hope to be a big-time dance choreographer like Kenny Ortega or Debbie Allen,” said Chapman, who was recognized as a student spotlight at the Aug. 19, 2021, D158 Board of Education meeting. “Kenny Ortega dance choreographed all the dances from High School Musical.”
Chapman’s transition plan included him participating in the job interview process with local dance studio businesses. He also interviewed with and job shadowed Sarah Moran, the head Pom Squad coach for D158, and Samantha Skuback, the Huntley Orchesis Dance Company director.
“D’Andre’s aspirations to become a dance choreographer first began as an inquiry, and soon evolved into the spark of our school year,” said Allen.
In addition, Chapman interviewed with Karen Fitzsimons, the owner of Dance Force Studios (10995 Ruth Road, Huntley), and Janet Burkhalter, a theater teacher and choreographer at Marlowe Middle School.
“To see our students thrive in our school and community and then be recognized on the world stage is a testament to the amazing students, staff, and families we work with every day,” said Rocio del Castillo, assistant superintendent of special services at D158. “D’Andre embodies the enthusiasm for lifelong learning and sense of community that the LIGHT program seeks to emphasize for our students.”
Chapman, who is currently in his second year in the LIGHT program, continues to explore his passion for dance and spread joy to others.
“When I was teaching dance, I learned that you have to be patient with your students. If one of your students is stuck on a move, you go back and demonstrate it one step at a time and most of all, give it 100%. You give it 100% by giving all your energy and effort,” Chapman said.
