Lynsey Wilsey participated in the High School High Tech Speech Competition April 17, Tallahassee, for The Able Trust Jeannie Amendola Speech & Research Competition, with the topic of “My Career Goal.”  Out of seven students, she gave an excellent speech and judges stated she was awful close to being the 1^st place winner the Tallahassee Regional Contest.  She competed with students from Columbia, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Leon, Okaloosa, and Wakulla counties

 The Speech & Research Competition was developed for students in The Able Trust’s High School High Tech Program, so students with disabilities could learn how to research topics and deliver a presentation on the top.  The goal is to give students with disabilities skills that will benefit them as they begin to prepare to enter post-secondary education or the workforce.

 The Abel Trust renamed its Speech & Research Competition as the Jeannie Amendola Speech & Research Competition in memory of Jeannie Amendola, who passed away in December 2017.  Jeannie, a longtime Disney employee was a passionate advocate for the inclusion of people with disabilities.  With a disability herself – Jeannie was legally blind – she spoke on behalf of the The Able Trust for those with disabilities and naming this competition after her allows The Able Trust to carry on her legacy.

 Michael Radel
HSHT Co-Director

Additional information from The Able Trust