Youth Spotlight

Elsa is 18 years old and will graduate from Terra Verde High School in May 2027.

What activity do you enjoy the most during the summer?

Bowling and Swimming

What is your preferred summer drink?

Root Beer

Have you ever had any prior work experiences or volunteer opportunities before BEST/STEP?

I volunteered at my church, assisting with children during worship services and Vacation Bible School (VBS) and wherever/whenever they need me. I also completed an internship at Not Your Average Joe's.

Could you share your experience with the BEST/STEP program?

I have completed the BEST/STEP program twice. During the summer of 2025, I had a job at the Sunhive Collective. Sunhive Collective was a cool place that helps young adults with intellectual disabilities develop the skills they need to become more independent. While working there, I helped participants learn how to complete cleaning tasks and other daily chores while encouraging them to finish their assigned responsibilities. I also assisted with preparing and serving lunch. I enjoyed this job because I got to hang out with the participants at Sunhive.

This summer, I worked at We Rock the Spectrum, an autism-focused place for kids and my job during the internships was assisting the kids during their activities at the center. I also assisted with lunch at We Rock the Spectrum.

What is something you learned from the BEST/STEP program?

I have learned to ask for help when I need to.

So now that you’ve completed the BEST/STEP program what is your next step?

My goal is to graduate from Terra Verde High School. After completing high school, I hope to get a job and start saving money for my own apartment. I want to eventually get an apartment with a friend because I know how expensive living on your own can be.

What is your dream career?

In the future, I hope to have a career as a dog groomer. I would also love to work at Sunhive Collective, where I can help people and make a difference.

What advice or tips would you like to share with other youth?

Don’t ask other people to ask for you. You must learn to ask for yourself. You must learn to advocate for yourself and ask people yourself.

What is the most significant goal or dream you wish to achieve in your lifetime?

I want to graduate from high school and get a job.

What would you like the world to know about you?

I want them to know that I got adopted when I was nine years old.

Can you share a situation where you've had to adapt to a new environment or learn something new? How did you approach that experience?

When I got adopted, I had to adapt to the new place. I know that Jesus put me in this home for a reason, and I kept telling myself it would be okay and it was okay.

What would be your ideal work environment?

Working inside with other people

Where did you go to High School?
I graduated from Enid High School in May 2023.

What are your interests and hobbies?
Art, making music and writing.

What is your favorite thing or activity to do?
My favorite thing to do is all things art.

What is your preferred drink?
My favorite drink is Sprite Zero.

Have you ever had any prior work experience or volunteer opportunities? If yes, what experiences or opportunities have you had?
Yes, I have experience in a little bit of everything. I have worked from fast food to working with animals.

As a part of the Project SEARCH program, what work rotations have you participated in and what were your duties?
I have worked in Patient Access and Emergency Room departments. For the Patient Access department, I mainly organize and take patients to their room. For the ER department, I cleaned and sanitized the area.

What is something you learned from the Project SEARCH program?
I have learned how to cope properly with stress.

What are your plans after you complete the Project SEARCH program?
My plans are to work in an office.

What is your favorite part about the Project SEARCH program?
My favorite part of the Project SEARCH program are my teachers and co-workers.

What is your dream career and why?
My dream job is working with animals.

What advice or tips would you like to share with other youth?
My advice is to other youth is to stay strong.

What is the most significant goal or dream you wish to achieve in your lifetime?
My lifetime goal is for my art to reach people.

What would you like the world to know about you?
I want people to know about my art and that I am an artist.

What are your interests and hobbies?
I like to listen to music, sit around a fire and dance.

What activity do you enjoy the most during the Summer?
I enjoy spending my time riding side-by-sides and going to the river.

What is your preferred Summer drink?
I like to drink Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut.

If I were to provide you with $50,000 to create a positive impact in your community, how would you use it to bring about meaningful change?
I would give half of it to Kiamichi Technology Center because they helped me, and they could use it to help other youth like me. I would give the other half to the hospital where I work so they could help bring healthcare services to other parts of the county.

Have you ever had any prior work experiences or volunteer opportunities?
During high school, I worked on campus completing tasks such as moving items and assisting with stripping and waxing floors. I was also involved in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, where I participated in cleaning and other service activities. In addition, I volunteered at Kiamichi Technology Centers, where during the holiday season we visited nursing homes and decorated bulletin boards for residents.

Could you share your experience working at McCurtain Memorial Hospital?
I currently work as a phlebotomist at McCurtain Memorial Hospital. My responsibilities include drawing blood, properly labeling samples and assisting with other related tasks as needed.

What is something you learned from working at the hospital?
I have learned the importance of not being afraid to admit when I make a mistake. I believe mistakes are opportunities to learn, grow, and improve in my work.

What is your dream career? My dream career is to continue working as a phlebotomist. I would eventually like to become a traveling phlebotomist.

How do you stay motivated when faced with challenging tasks or projects?
I stay motivated by remembering why I chose my career field and focusing on the people I am able to help through my work.

Can you share one challenge you've faced due to your disability and how you managed to overcome it?
When I first began training as a phlebotomist, it was challenging to learn the techniques. I have limited mobility in my right hand, so I primarily perform phlebotomy using my left hand. During my training at Kiamichi Technology Centers, my instructor, Mrs. Sullens, took the time to help me adapt and find techniques that worked for me, which allowed me to successfully complete the program.

How should youth handle mistakes or regrets as they move forward?
I believe mistakes are a natural part of life. They provide opportunities to improve, and it is important to keep moving forward and ask for help when needed.

What is the most significant goal or dream you wish to achieve in your lifetime?
I would like to become a nurse one day.

What would you like the world to know about you?
I had a stroke before I was born, which caused limited mobility in my right hand. However, I have not let that stop me from pursuing my goals. I believe that despite having a disability, I can achieve anything I set my mind to.

Is there anyone specific you'd like to give a shoutout to?
I would like to thank God, my family, my occupational therapists, Sendi Raney and Mia Kemp, and my physical therapist, April Hurst. I would also like to thank my instructors at Kiamichi Technology Centers, including Mrs. Tapley and Mrs. Sullens, as well as my Pre-ETS instructor, Shelia Kates, for their support and guidance.

Where did you go to High School?
I graduated from Enid High School in May 2024.

What are your interests and hobbies?
I like to do yoga at home.

What is your favorite thing or activity to do?
I like to read and listen to music.

What is your preferred drink?
My favorite drink is coke

Have you ever had any prior work experience or volunteer opportunities? If yes, what experiences or opportunities have you had?
I do have work experience and have a good work ethic.

As a part of the Project Search program, what work rotations have you participated in and what were your duties?
I cleaned rooms for the housekeeping department. I also take patients around the hospital in wheelchairs as needed.

What is something you learned from the Project Search program?
I learned how to do the skills I needed to be a good employee.

What are your plans after you complete the Project Search program?
I plan on getting a job after I finish the program.

What is your favorite part about the Project Search program?
I like working with the nurses.

What struggle have you faced in the past and have overcome?
I have always been shy and didn’t talk to people easily.  I overcome being SO shy.

What is your dream career and why?
My dream careers are working for a daycare and working for Goodwill.

What advice or tips would you like to share with other youth?
My advice is to listen, follow directions, and participate in the work you are given.

What would you like the world to know about you?
I am an independent woman that can get a job!

Is there anyone you’d like to give a shoutout to?
I would like to give a shout out to Kristy and Joy.