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Strategies for Success


January 2025

Miranda Ray Receives Donna Mundy Award of Distinction

At the recent High School High Tech annual conference, Miranda Ray with Abilities of Florida received the Donna Mundy Award of Distinction. Each year, this award is given to an individual who has established themselves as a leader among their peers and has demonstrated long-term success with the program.


Miranda has served as a HSHT coordinator for more than 14 years and enjoys the partnership Abilities of Florida shares with The Able Trust. She believes the most important thing HSHT offers students is the ability to explore jobs, interests and passions while they're still in high school.


"I love it when my students keep me informed after they graduate," said Miranda. "When I hear from former students, I can tell they understand how important HSHT has been in helping them succeed after high school."


Miranda Ray has embraced the very core of the High School High Tech and served hundreds of students. Thank you, Miranda!

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Upcoming Events

College Night

February 11, 2025


The Able Trust is hosting College Night for High School High Tech students. Have your students register today to join high school students around Florida in a free online event to learn about choosing the right college, understanding admission requirements, identifying types of financial aid and more.


CLICK HERE to register.



Florida DCDT Visions Conference

April 8-12, 2025


Plan to attend the Visions Conference, an event filled with networking opportunities and innovative strategies for advancing the career development of individuals with exceptionalities.


CLICK HERE to register.

Guideposts for Success

The Guideposts for Success is used as the framework for the HSHT program and provides guidelines for developing HSHT programming. The Able Trust expects sites to develop meaningful opportunities around the Guideposts, their student’s goals and available community resources.


This new addition to the newsletter will provide information on each of the five Guideposts listed below. In each edition, an activity selected from one of our HSHT sites will be featured to illustrate how it meets the needs of the Guideposts.


  1. School-Based Preparatory Experiences
  2. Career Preparation and Work-Based Learning Experiences
  3. Youth Development and Leadership
  4. Connecting Activities
  5. Family Engagement


In the March issue, we will focus on School-Based and Career Preparation Experiences.

Guideposts for Success

Student Success Story

Meet Leanna Waller


Congratulations to Leanna Waller, a recent graduate of the High School High Tech program at our affiliate Abilities of Florida, who is starting her second semester at Pasco Hernando State College. Leanna participated in the HSHT program while attending Pepin Academies-Pasco.


During her time in the program, she demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, taking every opportunity available to her and serving as secretary on the HSHT Leadership Council. She also earned her Professional Association of Diving Instructors certificate through a summer internship supported by HSHT.


Leanna’s outstanding qualities earned her a college scholarship which she combined with tuition reimbursement provided by Publix to attend Pasco-Hernando State College. She is pursuing a degree in business management with an emphasis on marine biology. Her unique combination of studies showcase her vision for the future and her desire to make a positive impact in both fields.


Story and photos provided by Abilities of Florida.

High School High Tech Conference

Thank you for your enthusiastic participation in the High School High Tech conference. It was a great time for networking and sharing best practices and we enjoyed celebrating the 30th anniversary with amazing coordinators from across Florida. Click the button below to view photos and details about each award winning program. To download conference resources, CLICK HERE.

HSHT Conference Photos

High School High Tech Award Winning Programs

The Able Trust recognizes High School High Tech coordinators each year for their success in working with High School High Tech students. Congratulations to each of these HSHT programs for their commitment to helping students with disabilities successfully plan for their future.

Share Your Story

CTE Month


February is CTE Month and we want to feature HSHT students who have completed CTE programs. If you have a student who has completed a CTE course, send us a photo of the student along with the certification(s) they've completed and let us share their success!


Email Your Story

Upcoming Opportunities

Scholarship Search Site Available for Tampa Bay Students


The Apply Tampa Bay Scholarship Search enables Tampa Bay students, families, and providers to explore scholarships with personalized filters. This site primarily serves students in eight Florida counties: Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, Polk, Pasco, and Sarasota. Major cities in the area include Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, and Pinellas Park.


To Begin Your Search, CLICK HERE

Free AI Literacy Course for Students


Scholar Education AI is offering a free course -- AI Literacy for Students— designed for grades 6–12. This engaging, one-hour course gives students an accessible and impactful introduction to artificial intelligence. Here’s what they’ll explore:

  • What is AI? – The foundations of artificial intelligence.
  • AI Ethics & Responsible Usage – How to approach AI with care.
  • Bias in Technology – Spotting and understanding bias in AI.
  • Safety in an AI-Driven World – Tips for staying safe with AI tools.
  • Real-World Applications – Where AI is shaping our lives today!


This isn’t a long-term commitment—just a quick, impactful way to equip today’s students with the knowledge they’ll need for tomorrow’s world.


For Information, CLICK HERE

The Able Trust, also known as the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation, is a 501(c)(3) public charity established by the Florida Legislature in 1990 as a direct support organization for the 

Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The mission of The Able Trust is to advance employment for Floridians with disabilities through engagement, investment, and collaboration.


www.abletrust.org

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