We are excited to welcome back Callie Rose as the Honored Adult of the Year for 2025/26. Callie previously served as our Honored Child of the Year for 2016/17. Her Home Service Program nurse, Dianna McCord, frequently praises her outstanding qualities, which is why we are thrilled to celebrate her accomplishments once again.
Since 2017, Callie has been a member of the yearlong Transition Team Improvement Project at the Canon-McMillan School District. The transition period is crucial for individuals with disabilities as they begin to focus on post-school goals, as well as the services and supports necessary to achieve those goals. Callie’s perspective has undoubtedly been invaluable to the project.
In the 2022/23 school year, Callie was nominated to the Homecoming Court. She graduated with distinguished honors as a member of the Honor Society in 2023. During the spring and summer of 2023, she worked for Voices for Independence, an advocacy organization for adults with disabilities.
After graduation, Callie decided to end her 9-year career in sled hockey to concentrate on her college studies. She is currently a sophomore majoring in interdisciplinary studies at Penn West University in California, PA, where she is maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She will also complete a Minor in Communications by the end of this semester.
Additionally, Callie has written articles about the college experience for individuals with disabilities, two of which were featured in Cal Times, the newspaper of Penn West University. She volunteers on projects that benefit individuals with disabilities and has set a goal to advocate for children with disabilities after completing her studies.
We are thrilled to have this remarkable young woman back with us!