COREY DAVIS: TREASURE COAST HIGH SCHOOLS MR. HAPPY GO LUCKY!

Treasure Coast High School 11th grade Student-Athlete Corey Davis sprints down the track at Lawnwood Stadium during the Counties Unified Special Olympics meet. In typical Titan fashion, 10th grade student-athlete Allyson Eno runs beside Corey encouraging and motivating him. It is not uncommon for non-disabled student-athletes to partner with their exceptional peers for support, which is one of the hallmarks of the Unified events.

April 17, 2017 - St. Lucie County, FL - All too often when we hear the words Down Syndrome (DS) we think of children (and adults) that don't look or function "normally". Yet most of us don't have the first idea of what Down Syndrome is or the fact that persons with this common disorder (affecting over 200,000 people per year, in the United States alone), are just as "normal" as the rest of society in so many ways. 

When I was growing up kids with Downs were picked on because their facial appearance was different than the rest of us. But today, children with Down Syndrome are treated just like everyone else. Sure, they may have some unique special needs - but doesn't everybody?

Contrary to popular belief, there are many children with the disorder that are not mentally or even developmentally disabled at all according to Dr. Sigfried Pueschel, Professor of Pediatrics at Brown University and Director of the Child Development Center at Rhode Island Hospital.

So, what is Down Syndrome?

Simply put it is a genetic disorder caused by an extra chromosome 21.

While there is no cure for the condition, a caring and enriching home environment, early intervention and integrated education efforts have been shown to have a positive impact on children with Down Syndrome.

Perhaps that's why Treasure Coast High School 11th grader Corey Davis is just one example of kids with Down Syndrome that are helping St. Lucie Public Schools become a national example of school districts that continually break through the barriers for children with special needs.

Corey, who is 16 years old, was born with multiple holes in his heart and suffers from the chromosome 21 defect as well. Yet, through the perseverance of his father, Mr. Edward Banks who is an insurance agent, and his mother, who works in the mental health/addiction field, Corey has thrived at Treasure Coast High School where he is well-known on campus for his big smile and happy disposition according to principal Ms. Susan Seal.

He interacts well with other students, is extremely social and has been a vital part of his school's Special Olympics Track Team for two seasons - a track team that made it all the way to the Regional Games last season in the 4 x 100 relay with a second-place finish.

Corey thrives on being very independent, loves to shoot hoops, sing, play the drums and swim according to Mr. Banks. 

"When he was younger his windpipe was underdeveloped and his tongue is too big for his mouth so speech was a challenge. However, thanks to a team of professionals at Manatee Academy in Port St. Lucie, where Corey attended middle school, they made significant accomplishments helping him to be able to orally communicate just like every other child - another example of the school district, as a whole, breaking down those pesky barriers that plague children with exceptionalities. 

Corey interacts well with other students,
is extremely social and has been
 a vital part of his school's
Special Olympics Track Team
for two seasons.

But it's Corey's personality and his disposition that really turn heads. 

"Corey brings such joy to not only our unified track team but really all of Treasure Coast High School. He is a team motivator whom his fellow student-athletes adore and respect. He helps cheer on his fellow teammates and brings such positive energy to our team. Having Corey on our school track team has helped promote the program and bring about inclusive practices within our school community," says Amanda Hammel, the school's track coach, and ESE teacher.

Treasure Coast High School has a rich history of this positive energy that started with it's founding Principal Dr. Helen (Roberts) Wild, who built the school from the ground up. Dr. Wild, who has since moved on to become the Chief Academic Office for the school district was responsible for every detail in every nook and cranny that went into the area's newest traditional public high school. 

The most recognizable accomplishment she implemented at Treasure Coast High School (and is now implementing district-wide) is a keen sense of pride and family which has carried over to the for former Principal Mrs. Denise Rodreguiz and to current Principal Ms. Seal. 

"Our teachers and staff are so dedicated to meeting the needs of each student.  They strive to motivate, encourage and support student goals and help them reach their dreams.  It is so inspiring to see our teachers work with students with challenges to help them overcome barriers and thrive", Dr. Wild tells Treasure Coast Sports Journal.

It was under her leadership that some of the school's first coach's coined the phrase Titan Born, Titan Bred which has stayed with the school since it opened in 2006. Teachers, staff and most importantly students have all bought into being a Titan. And recently graduates of the school have been sporting "Titan Born, Titan Bred, Titan Grad" apparel, indicating that this sense of pride extends well beyond a student's high school years.

It is this sense of pride that Dr. Wild developed, and others have carried forward, that has helped students like Corey realize the success they are entitled to.