Gordon Wolfe recently utilized a social skill he had been working on while attending the Central High School District’s PREP Academy at a most opportune moment.

Wolfe and his father are building a computer and visited an electronics store for parts. Wolfe noticed another customer acting in a rude and disrespectful manner toward an employee.

“Gordon jumped in and starts talking about what he has learned with Miss Hailey, to be calm and polite and not to get down,” his father explained in an email to school psychologist Dr. Joseph Netto.

Hailey Ozsvath is a South Oaks Vocational Rehabilitation counselor who works with PREP Academy students.

“After reading the email, we wanted to recognize his upstanding behaviors,” explained Dr. Netto.

Wolfe was presented with this Good Citizen Award by Brandon Laracuente, a fellow student who he enjoys spending time with.

“As you can see in the photos, Gordon was beyond thrilled,” added Dr. Netto. “He asked to also take a picture with Ms. Hailey because she was the one who taught him those skills that he shared with the worker.”

Wolfe also thanked Mrs. Ellinghaus and spent some time visiting several offices in the Brookside building to share the good news.

The district developed PREP Academy as a next-level education, recreational and vocational experience for students within the district through age 21. Goals of the academy include social understanding and skills, self-advocacy and developing specific job skills and independent recreational skills.