Stewart earns R.A. Horn Award

WINTERSVILLE -- Indian Creek sophomore Brayden Stewart has made great strides during the past few years. These achievements have earned him the R.A. Horn Award from Ohio State Support Team Region 12.

Stewart was recognized during a school assembly May 3. He will be honored during a banquet in Byesville June 11 where he will be joined by his family, intervention specialists Tom Mort and Kaylee Schubenski and district Superintendent T.C. Chappelear.

The Horn award was established by the Ohio Department of Education and is given to an exemplary special education student from each of the SST's 16 regions in recognition of their remarkable performance.

Stewart, who is the son of Jeff Stewart of Mingo Junction, was among 15 nominees in Region 12.

He has high-functioning autism, having attended the School of Bright Promise since preschool. Last year, he joined Indian Creek High School.

He mainly communicated by using an iPad; however, he has since found his voice -- which speaks volumes as to how far he has come.

Stewart said he has made many friends -- at least 80 by his count -- and can be seen cheering on school sports teams, helping to create sets for theater productions, working in the school's Spear-It Store, drawing and reading. He was involved in the formation of unified sports teams through Unified Champion Schools. This has led him to flag football, basketball and track activities. He was the most valuable player of this winter's basketball game and ran in a unified track meet at Edison High School with EHS and Buckeye Local High School members.

To say he is a success story would be an understatement. He has gained respect and was presented with a framed certificate by Mort during an assembly.

Mort explained he was asked about nominating Stewart by John Rocchi, the district director of special education. News had come he had won.

"The biographies of other nominees were really impressive," Mort said, "and this was a really nice thing for Brayden. His greatest achievement was how well he integrated himself into the school and improving his speech. But I think what put him over was his involvement with the unified sports team. He had communicated through his cell phone apps, started his experience at school and made friends. I think the state recognized all of that."

Stewart said he is excited about the honor. It makes him feel like "an MVP."

He delights in his school experience and can't wait to partake in more sports. He enjoys football and will have an opportunity to participate in a red and gold scrimmage Aug. 30. He also hopes to play soccer.

"It's good," he stated, noting he and his family were proud. He especially loved how the crowd cheered during the assembly.

Mort said Stewart is on the school's Lighthouse team and will say the Pledge of Allegiance during school broadcasts each week. He has already begun practicing.

"He works hard and goes to the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County once a week and reads sports books," Mort added. "He reads the books to different teachers and coaches."

His hard work paid off when he earned a Bronze Key at the district's scholar's banquet for having at least three consecutive semesters of having a 3.5 or higher grade-point average. School officials agreed he was a true success story.

"On behalf of the high school, I would like to congratulate Brayden on winning this award," said Principal Louie Retton. "Brayden is a breath of fresh air every day at ICHS. He is the most positive person that most of us have ever met. Brayden has taught us way more than we have taught him and he is truly an inspiration for all of us."

"Brayden transitioned from the School of Bright Promise to Indian Creek High School last year and has absolutely thrived," Rocchi concluded. "He has injected positivity throughout our building and uplifts the staff and students on a daily basis. I am so proud of Brayden and all of his accomplishments. He is well-deserving of being the R.A. Horn award recipient and we are looking forward to seeing Brayden continue to learn and grow at Indian Creek."

"Brayden has been a great addition to Indian Creek High School," Chappelear added. "He brightens your day with a fist bump whenever he sees you. Brayden makes ICHS better."