In early March, Trigg County High School siblings Caroline and Carter Kosak, alongside friend Anna Roeder, were patiently awaiting good news — hoping their “Not For One, But For Everyone” presentation was nationally award-winning through the Distributive Education Clubs of America and Muscular Dystrophy Association “Disability is Diversity” Challenge.
Then, Roeder and Caroline said, the announcement finally came.
A national championship, better known as DECA Glass, was coming home to Cadiz for the first time in school history.
This Saturday, the trio — as well as several other Trigg County DECA students and faculty — will embark for Florida and the International Career Development Conference in Orlando. Once there, the group’s video project — centered on the district’s campus and some of its apparent ADA compliance deficiencies — will be a major showcase from which national and international audiences can glean.
Their itinerary also includes several symposiums, professional interactive workshops, an invite-only luncheon, and, of course, a visit to Hollywood Studios and Disney.
But amid this fun and celebration lies a true sense of accountability.
Anna is but a sophomore. The Kosaks are freshmen, and well-versed in the world of boundaries and disabilities. Carter continues to fend off a series of very rare health circumstances that keep him mostly in a wheelchair.
All three of them have a checklist on their phones, and are hoping to mark things off as progression occurs at the different school system venues — starting with the coming elevator to Trigg County’s Wildcat Gymnasium, but also including additions like more ramps, push buttons for doors.
Losing his voice over time, Carter uses artificial intelligence to answer questions and concerns that come his way.
His school assistant, LaQuisha Boyd Wortham, offered some brief insight on a day in his life — which goes as far as making sure no cords are wrapped around Carter’s desks in classrooms, for fear of him tripping and suffering possibly serious injuries.
Caroline and Anna both noted that their rehearsed discussion, running about six minutes now, has generated a wealth of local conversation, and will hopefully affect change.
All through this process, Caroline said one quote kept them on task.
You can watch their championship video presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUUe3U7EUss.
2nd Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr4HY2qExg4.
3rd Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QXi4m-XGQE.
OTHER NOTES
Caroline, on the project’s focus:
Anna, on some of the project’s research:
DECA’s Brian Oliver, on what DECA Glass really means:
Anna, on what the impact of the project can really be:
Anna, on being heard by local constituents:
Caroline, on what it’s like to experience this as a family:
Caroline, on how they actually built the video presentation:
