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Geneva High School vocational students host 2nd annual car wash

Event’s goal is to support creation of a unified Special Olympic team

By Brenda Schory
Geneva High School student Jesus Villa Ortiz dries the back window of a car as part of the school’s Vocational Exploration program’s car wash day on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.

Geneva High School student Jesus Villa Ortiz dries the back window of a car as part of the school’s Vocational Exploration program’s car wash day on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. This year's car wash will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 at the Burgess Field parking lot. (Sandy Bressner)

The Geneva High School Vocational Exploration class will host its second annual car wash from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at the Burgess Field parking lot at Maple Lane and Gray Street in Geneva.

This year, the beneficiary of the car wash will be a new Special Olympics team, the Geneva Unified Vikings. It will be a basketball team of special and regular education students, said Cailla Swanson, who teaches the VocEx class.

VocEx prepares students for meaningful work skills, living skills and community participation to their highest level of independence.

“We have a goal to participate in more Special Olympics events so we’re building and starting a program,” Swanson said.

Geneva United Vikings Special Olympics is the new team being created at Geneva High School. As part of Special Olympics, it will have both special and regular education students. Geneva's first team to be created is for basketball.

Geneva United Vikings Special Olympics is the new team being created at Geneva High School. As part of Special Olympics, it will have both special and regular education students. Geneva's first team to be created is for basketball. (Provided by Geneva District 304)

“They’re going to be doing basketball together and playing against other teams with a similar makeup. This is a branch of the Special Olympics.”

Last year, her VocEx students detailed cars on the inside and outside.

This year, Swanson said, her 10 students will be washing only the exteriors.

As they did last year, students from outside the program will assist the VocEx students.

Those who want their cars washed are asked to register online at www.signupgenius.com.

Cost is $10.

Vocational Exploration – also known as VocEx – are courses for special education students to learn life skills. The students will become part of a new team, Geneva United Vikings, for both special and regular education students. They will play against other, similar teams, as part of Special Olympics.

Vocational Exploration – also known as VocEx – are courses for special education students to learn life skills. The students will become part of a new team, Geneva United Vikings, for both special and regular education students. They will play against other, similar teams, as part of Special Olympics. (Provided by Geneva District 304)

“We are asking people to sign up so we can facilitate the amount of cars,” Swanson said. “We will not turn people away if they just show up to support our program. I welcome the support.”

The car wash will sell T-shirts that promote the team for $10 and her students will sell handmade products.

“The school district is 100% behind us and is very supportive of the VocEx program and what we are doing,” Swanson said. “We are celebrating inclusion and the advancement of inclusion.”

Geneva School District 304GenevaKane CountyEducation