2024 Jaidon Joseph Smith Educational Scholarship Award

Riley Johnson embarked on his educational journey in the GT/LD program during ninth grade, and since then, he has demonstrated remarkable progress. His growth has been nothing short of inspiring.

During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Riley faced significant obstacles. Freshman year was particularly tough as he grappled with motivation, assignment management, and feelings of overwhelm. However, with unwavering determination and the guidance of his resource teacher, Riley learned essential skills. He mastered assignment tracking, time prioritization, and self-sufficiency. By the time in-person learning resumed, his self-confidence had soared, and he felt truly competent.

In subsequent years, Riley delved deeper into self-discovery. He honed emotional management techniques, replacing panic with strategic problem-solving. His progress allowed him to transition from two resource classes to just one, a testament to his newfound independence. Riley also learned to advocate for himself, utilizing accommodations when needed.

As a senior, Riley’s passion for engineering emerged. Despite knowing the challenges ahead, he remains undeterred. His hard work and the skills acquired in the GT/LD program will undoubtedly propel him toward success and we look forward to following his path.