Port St. Joe junior to represent program for high schoolers with disabilities
The Able Trust has named Port St. Joe High School junior Eljai Brown as an ambassador of its Florida High School High Tech program for high school students with disabilities.
Brown, who was selected to represent Gulf County, was among six ambassadors chosen from the statewide pool of applicants based on their active participation in HSHT and compelling video presentations. He takes part in the Gulf County HSHT, coordinated by Kodi Linton of CareerSource Gulf Coast.
“What I love about High School High Tech is learning about different career opportunities,” said Brown. “I know I’m up to the task of being an ambassador.”
As an ambassador, Brown will have the opportunity to share his HSHT stories on a broader scale; participate in events designed to prepare him for postsecondary education and the workforce; develop new employability and soft skills; and hold a leadership role in HSHT as a face of the program.
“We are excited to welcome Eljai as a High School High Tech Ambassador to serve as a
steward of the activity in his community and throughout Florida,” said Allison Chase, president and CEO of The Able Trust. “This is a fantastic way for him to build his resume and access networking opportunities for future jobs, postsecondary training and ultimately a rewarding career.”
Junior and senior HSHT students interested in strengthening their leadership, communication and presentation skills can apply to be ambassadors. Students applying to serve as ambassadors must maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average; actively participate in their area HSHT program; attend training, meetings and speaking events; and promote HSHT events via social media, word of mouth and other avenues.
To learn more about the Florida High School High Tech program, visit www.abletrust.org/high-school-high-tech
The mission of the Able Trust, established by the Florida legislature to support the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, is to advance employment for Floridians with disabilities through engagement, investment, and collaboration. The Able Trust youth programs support students with disabilities by providing transition services to help prepare them for life after high school.
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.