Program closed following graduation of 4
by Michael Villarreal, reporter

    The NW Campus MECA program, which provided college opportunities for mentally challenged students, said goodbye to its last graduating class.

   After eight years in existence, the program has been dissolved.

   MECA coordinator Pat Gilder says that the primary reason for the program’s end was the decline in student enrollment. Fewer students were meeting the qualifications.

   Four students graduated May 1 and walked away with a better comprehension of college level courses after the two-year program. Graduates included Susie Welsh, Jenny Stone, Sheila Eagle and Beth Estes.

   MECA stands for each of the four schools involved in the program, Mansfield, Eagle Mountain, Castleberry and Azle.

   Project MECA provided the opportunity for mentally challenged students, ages 18-22, to learn in integrated settings alongside age-peers. They attended a variety of classes, participated in student recreation and leisure activities on campus and worked at on-campus job training sites.

   The program was designed as a transition to the job market to help them develop peer relations.

   To qualify for the program, students must have certain discrepancies in their learning levels and be a high school graduate. Students had to have the basic verbal and reading skills to be able to sit through the college-level classes and perform basic activities. Tests were required by the state for this special program.

   "Everyone has since come up in test levels,” Gilder said.

   The program, which started in 1994, was designed to help the students develop new skills yet maintain the ones they already had.

   “When they are exposed to college life, they blossom socially,” she said. “TCC has been kind enough to share their facility and has given us great support.”

   Individualized support was provided for each MECA student through the use of student assistants, who accompanied the MECA students while they were on campus.

   Student assistant Ivy Roberts said that working as a peer guide has helped her focus on her degree in early childhood planning.

   While at TCC, the students were able to take classes such as acting, math, art and dance.

   Welsh said that college treats the students like adults rather than children.

   “They treat you differently here, with respect. People are nice to me,” Stone said.

   Eagle agrees.

   “They didn’t help me as much at the high school level as they did here,” she said.

   Estes said that she was just happy to be around friends.

   Welsh plans on furthering her education and returning to TCC to learn sign language.

   TCU has a downs syndrome program, and Stone got a job there as a teacher’s assistant. She started May 13.

   Eagle and Estes will be going on to other job opportunities the school district is exploring.

   The school district will now put more emphasis at the high school level on vocational training, allowing students who were eligible for MECA to attain employment at competitive wages.

   Gilder says that the idea is for them to leave high school with jobs.

   “If students don’t have the job skills required, then they will be given further training until they reach the age of 22. Vocational programs will help toward job skills and occupational preparation,” Gilder said.

   “I’m going to miss these wonderful ladies so much. They’re full of love and life, and they’re such a gift to us all,” she said.