Director of player personnel Jared Blank hosts 21 special education students for a day with the Trojans
By Ben Malcolmson
USCRipsIt
PeteCarroll.com
Director of player personnel Jared Blank hosted 21 students from Lincoln Middle School in Santa Monica for a motivational discussion and a day with the Trojans on Friday, all through a newly founded organization called “Find A Way” that helps kids with learning disabilities.
Blank, who overcame the detriments of severe dyslexia to graduate college and obtain a master’s degree, spoke to the students about his own experiences in school, conducted a Q&A session with the middle schoolers and ultimately offered them encouragement to persevere in the classroom.
“This is just great for these kids,” said Joan Kahaleuahi, an assistant special education teacher at Lincoln and a USC graduate. “They grow up only seeing the issues in front of them, and here’s Jared, a guy who’s gone through high school, college and now has a great job. It’s just really special for our kids.”
The students, part of teacher Amanda Levy’s special education class at Lincoln Middle School, also toured the USC campus and attended Friday’s practice on Howard Jones field.
Director of player personnel Jared Blank speaks to Lincoln Middle School students about overcoming a learning disability.
• Ben Malcolmson is the Director of Online Media for USCRipsIt/PeteCarroll.com. You can contact him at Ben@PeteCarroll.com.
