Noah Vucsics got into trouble for jumping over garbage cans in the halls of Calgary’s James Fowler High School when he was in Grade 12.
A happy offshoot of that clash with authority was the suggestion that he take his springs to the track and field team.
Vucsics, now 24, will compete for Canada in men’s T20 long jump in the Paralympic Games in Paris on Saturday.
His classification is for athletes with an intellectual impairment.
Vucsics may struggle to process some information, but he speaks like a Shakespearean actor.
“Most students with intellectual disabilities don’t necessarily get the opportunities to do option classes or just don’t do option classes because they feel like they won’t fit in, like food classes. I remember in Grade 9, drama wasn’t on our high school sheet,” Vucsics said.
“I’m kind of an unusual guy with an intellectual disability who loves the stage, loves public speaking, loves drama. So Grade 11, I worked hard to do a monologue and memorize my lines, like all the other regular students, and I got to be a lost boy in a ‘Peter Pan’ production.
“That monologue really helped me overcome my biggest challenge, which was being the valedictorian for my graduation class.”
James Fowler opened the valedictorian floor in 2018 to a broader spectrum of candidates than just those with the highest grades.
Inspired, Vucsics, who had been in special education from Grade 4 to Grade 12 for extra support in math and reading, tried for and earned the honour.
Denne historien er fra September 06, 2024-utgaven av Toronto Star.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 06, 2024-utgaven av Toronto Star.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Ottawa extends ban on Iranian officials
The federal government is expanding a measure that bans tens of thousands of Iranian officials from entering Canada as part of an effort to hold the regime accountable for human-rights violations.
West shouldn't undersell Putin's nuclear threats
There Vladimir Putin goes again, swinging his nuclear Johnson.
Deal would give pilots 42% raise over four years
Air Canada has offered its pilots a INDEX 42 per cent pay raise over four years FULL in a tentative agreement to avoid a potential strike or lockout.
Trump targeted at golf course in apparent assassination attempt
Man in custody after Secret Service fired at suspect
MPs return as Tories look to trigger early election
Liberals say they won't delay possible confidence votes
Cole pays price for free pass
Yankees ace allows seven runs after intentional walk of Red Sox's Devers
Argos looking like old selves
Kelly's dominance vs. Lions ends any potential quarterback controversy
Steelers open selves up to more QB drama
From the outside, the Steelers quarterback room looks as though it’s a cacophony of uncertainty, bewilderment, speculation and conjecture, which is exactly the way Mike Tomlin wants it.
Liverpool run ends vs. Forest, Haaland stays hot
Not good enough. That was Arne Slot’s verdict after his first defeat as Liverpool manager on Saturday.
Korda, U.S. keep rolling at Solheim Cup
Alison Lee sparked a shirtless caddy celebration by spinning a wedge into the cup for eagle.