Priceless lessons in work without pay

There's no keeping the excitement out of Rowdy Hency's voice when he talks about his job at Victorian Inn in Cape Girardeau.

On a flight of stairs in back of the hotel, the 19-year-old youth concentrates on sweeping salt granules off the steps. His cheeks are red from the frigid February air, but the cold doesn't diminish his enthusiasm.

Although he isn't paid for his work, this job has changed Rowdy's life in more ways than one.

The Fruitland youth who last year dealt with a constant fear of making mistakes now exudes confidence at work. So much in fact, that the special needs student from Jackson High School was able to pass his driver's test last August and is now looking for a part-time job to help buy a car.

Similar stories can be told about nine other special needs students from local high schools who, like Rowdy, participate in a work experience program through the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center.

The students from Jackson, Scott City and Cape Girardeau work for two hours five mornings a week at the Victorian Inn and Chateau Girardeau nursing home doing everything from cleaning and maintenance to food service.

Disadvantaged and disabled students who struggle with academics in a classroom setting find success through the program, said Linda Tallent, the vocational resource educator at the CTC.

"This is more than job shadowing, it's learning how to work," said Tallent, who helped start the work program six years ago.

These days, Rowdy is working extra hard in an attempt to land a summer job there.

"It's real fun. I've learned to work hard and stay busy," Rowdy said. "It's cool because I don't have to sit in class all day, and there's no homework."

Two of his student co-workers, 17-year-olds Megan Teeters and Heather Owens of Scott City, also have found new focus through the program.

The girls spend their mornings stripping beds, sorting laundry and cleaning, usually working as partners. They've each learned lessons in the two years they've participated in the program -- Heather, that she can get along with other people, and Megan, that she's capable of tasks such as making beds.

"It was kind of scary at first," Megan said. "I thought it would be easy, but it's hard work."

While working at Chateau Girardeau earlier in the school year, the girls discovered an interest in health care, and now hope to go on to nursing school next year.

"This has helped us make up our minds about what we want to do. Without this program, we never would have known that we wanted that," Heather said.

Potential employees

Karla Clifton, general manager at the Victorian Inn, said the program not only gives her extra help but also potential employees.

"Some come in shy with low self-esteem. At the end of the school year, they leave with self-confidence," Clifton said.

Many of the students come from families that can't afford to buy the required pants and shirts necessary to work at the two businesses, so the CTC program provides those items. The three participating school districts contribute funds to the program to help pay for transportation, workmen's compensation and the part-time salary of student supervisor Judy Bane.

Bane, a former counselor at Scott City, said the program not only boosts students' confidence, it increases attendance at school. Although they're not paid, students receive a grade on things like job performance and attitude.

"For some of our students, it's the only 'A' they earn on their report card," Bane said.

Over the past six years, many of the program's participants have gone on to land jobs on their own. Bane said she hopes other businesses in the community will consider being a part of the program in the future so that more students can take advantage of it.

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, ext. 128