When a group of students from the High School High Tech program for students with disabilities at Pepin Academies’ New Port Richey campus visited Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) recently, first-year PHSC student Jethiel Morales stepped forward confidently to share his experience at the college and answer their questions.
Jethiel, an alumnus of Hillsborough County High School High Tech pursuing his associate of arts degree in graphic design, relished the opportunity to pay it forward and mentor other students as they explore their own postsecondary pathways.
To his mother, Berlitz Davila, this was another example of just how far her son has come since his early childhood.
“Jethiel was completely nonverbal until he was six years old,” explained Davila. “He experienced a lot of tantrums just because he wasn’t able to communicate. We did the therapies, and nothing worked.”
Jethiel’s speech and communication skills began to improve after the family moved to Florida. But his most significant growth came when he joined High School High Tech.
High School High Tech, administered by The Able Trust, provides opportunities to explore career training and postsecondary education options in a supportive environment. This helps them develop confidence, strengthen communication skills, and build the independence needed to transition successfully from high school to their next steps.
“High School High Tech helped Jethiel to develop self-confidence and better interact with his peers and the people that were around him,” said Davila. “It prepared him to know how to work with others.”
I want to be an artist and tell stories using my own characters ... High School High Tech has given me major confidence in taking the initiative and pursuing my goals.
Miranda Ray, program lead for Hillsborough County High School High Tech, saw Jethiel develop from a quiet, reluctant participant in his early days of the program to a confident peer leader in various activities. She knew he had turned a corner when, at the start of an annual holiday swap shop activity reselling donated toys and clothing, the young man made a bold prediction.
“He comes up to me, and he goes ‘I’m going to sell the most,’” said Ray, who also leads High School High Tech programs in Pasco and Pinellas counties. “And he did!”
As Jethiel’s self-confidence grew, he began to share his passion for visual arts and animation. He created his own website to house a digital portfolio featuring a wide range of his work.
“I want to be an artist and tell stories using my own characters,” said Jethiel. “The special thing about art is that you always have time to improve; you can always learn something. The only limits are your imagination and your physical ability.”
When Ray mentioned the annual Arts4All: Animation Gets Real summer camp for students with autism spectrum disorder during a High School High Tech tour of the University of South Florida, Jethiel was immediately enthusiastic. He took part in the camp as a student and returned the following summer to work as a camp assistant.
After his successful stint working at the animation camp, it was only natural for Jethiel to step up and offer his insights to prospective Pasco-Hernando State College students who also participate in High School High Tech.
“He sat with the kids and answered questions and talked with them, and he did a presentation about what his experience was like transitioning from Pepin Academies to PHSC,” said Ray. “And these were kids he didn’t know, because they were from the Pasco campus.”
Jethiel quickly built a rapport with this new audience, providing valuable advice on classroom accommodations and general tips gathered from his first year at the college. At the end of the visit, the Pasco County High School High Tech Leadership Council presented Jethiel with a certificate of appreciation for his efforts.
“Explaining my experiences like that really does show me that I have grown, that I’ve changed,” said Jethiel. “And that just makes me really happy. High School High Tech has given me major confidence in taking the initiative and pursuing my goals.”
For her part, Ray is thrilled to see Jethiel continue to thrive as an independent alumnus of the program she leads.
“I’m so proud of him,” she said. “He certainly has become very self-sufficient. I’m honored to see what he’s done. It’s all coming together.”
Jethiel’s story underscores the impact of High School High Tech’s hands-on, career-focused experiences. These supports help provide students with practical skills, industry exposure, and the confidence to pursue education and training for high-demand career pathways, ultimately strengthening Florida’s future workforce and expanding opportunities for young people with disabilities.
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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