The goal of starting a business in the food industry was not always clear to Gulf County High School High Tech student Zoey Ham. Nor, in fact, was any sort of independent future.
Ham was held back two years in elementary school due to struggling with an intellectual disability, and had difficulty communicating with others. Her mother, Amanda King, worried about Ham’s prospects for self-sufficiency.
“I honestly wasn’t sure Zoey would ever be able to work a job or go to college or anything like that,” said King. “I for sure thought she would be with me for a while.”
According to King, High School High Tech proved to be a turning point for Ham in terms of both developing independence and making academic strides. Ham now earns A and B grades in her classes and will graduate with her diploma this spring.
High School High Tech, a youth program administered by The Able Trust, provides access to career exploration experiences and postsecondary education options to help Florida students with disabilities make a smooth transition from high school to their next steps. The program has a 99% graduation rate for participating students.
High School High Tech opened Ham’s eyes to possibilities beyond graduation. From a successful visit to Tom P. Haney Technical College to exploring and developing work experience in a wide variety of jobs, the program showed the scholar she had many choices for her life after high school.
“I didn’t really know I’d have so many options,” said Ham.
One particular work experience inspired Ham to pursue a future as an entrepreneur. When the Gulf County High School High Tech students signed on to staff the concession stand at the Port St. Joe Ball Park, Ham quickly established herself as a capable leader in both customer service and food preparation tasks.
“They were having a hard time finding people to work the stand, and they didn’t have anybody who knew how to work a fryer so they weren’t even going to consider offering fries,” said Kodi Linton, Gulf County High School High Tech’s program lead through CareerSource Gulf Coast. “Zoey took it right on, and she pretty much ran that concession stand from that point. They knew when she came in that everything was going to be taken care of.”
I think her personality and just who she is, along with High School High Tech, has really created a future for Zoey that we didn’t think she’d be capable of reaching.
The experience had an effect beyond satisfying fans’ needs for a fresh salty snack. Ham discovered she not only had a knack for cooking and food service operations—she also had a passion for both.
“The longer I did it, the more it helped me change my goals,” she said. “Now I want to be a cook and have my own business.”
Ham’s interest in entrepreneurship speaks to a sustained trend: According to the Small Business Administration, individuals with disabilities are twice as likely as members of the general public to go into business for themselves.
For now, Ham continues to gain work and leadership experience working as a High School High Tech intern for Linton, from serving as a vocal advocate for herself and her fellow students to assisting with key tasks in running a summer camp for children in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
“I cannot tell you how much I genuinely appreciate that she knows to take the initiative,” said Linton. “She’s just very reliable. She’s put a lot of work into herself and into High School High Tech.”
King has also noticed positive changes at home thanks to Ham’s participation in High School High Tech.
“She’s become more independent,” said King. “Because our schedules are so busy, there are times when Zoey will cook dinner or make sure things are done that help us—whereas before, I just don’t think Zoey would’ve ever thought that she could do any of those things. She can manage herself by herself.
“I think her personality and just who she is, along with High School High Tech, has really created a future for Zoey that we didn’t think she’d be capable of reaching.”
Linton agreed, adding that Ham’s time in High School High Tech has been transformational for the soon-to-be graduate.
“I’ve seen Zoey turn into Zoey in these past few years,” said Linton. “I’m so proud of her.”
The Able Trust’s High School High Tech program serves students with disabilities from Miami to Pensacola and all across Florida. Learn more at www.abletrust.org/high-school-high-tech.
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