AIKEN, SC (WIS) – Tuesday was the first day of school for Juliana “Jules” Gray and Ava Shabahrami, two best friends with Down syndrome who are enrolled at USCA-Life.
USCA-Life is a two-year program for students with disabilities at the University of South Carolina at Aiken, and both Ava and Jules said this year will be their best yet.
On campus, the two learn everyday skills, receive guidance for their studies and develop skills for a future career.
But the best part? They will go to college together, something Ava and Jules’ parents never imagined possible.
After being accepted into the USCA Life program, Ava and Jules spent the summer working and preparing for their next chapter.
“Since they were adopted, she has developed confidence. She now thinks, I’m going to college, I’m an adult and I can do this on my own. And it’s going to be so important to choose what goes in her room and find herself,” says Patricia Gates, Ava’s mother.
Read more: Two best friends with Down syndrome study together at USC
“They’re so excited that I don’t think they’ll be sad or miss us,” said Tony Gray, Jules’ mother. “They’ll be so focused on each other and all their new friends and all the things they’ll be doing. I think she’s going to have a great time.”
Although Ava and Jules don’t share the same dorm room at USC-Aiken, they still spend most of the day together.
They start their typical routine early in the morning, followed by breakfast, classes, lunch and dinner.
Each course is customized to meet the individual needs of the student. First-year students get a job on campus while learning the skills they need to get a job off campus the following year.
“USC Aiken really feels like home,” said Jennifer Connelly, teacher and coordinator of school outreach and student recruitment.
“We are so happy to have these students here. They are adjusting to campus very well and everyone is very enthusiastic about our program and goes out of their way to make the kids feel like they are real college students, just like any other student on campus,” she said.
Ava and Jules’ mothers said that through this opportunity, their children will learn skills they may not have learned without the program.
They said they couldn’t be prouder of the two girls. Both mothers left messages to encourage their daughters to take the next step.
Ava, we did it! We made it this far, you are going to do incredible things, you are going to meet so many people, you are going to find your story, you are going to amaze people, you are going to shine and I hope you enjoy every minute of it.
Jules, I know this is a very exciting time and I am so proud of you and so happy for you. This year is going to be your best year yet, so take advantage of everything and every opportunity, just do your best and be happy. That’s all that matters to me.
USCA-Life will host a fundraiser in honor of Ava and Jules’ journey and raise awareness of scholarships for current and future students.
A press release states that the benefit concert “Ava and Jules Rockin’ for College” will take place on September 27th and will begin at 5 p.m.
Tickets for the event are $10 for children ages 12 and up, while children under 12 are free.
“We are still new and despite programs that have been in existence for some time, people are largely unaware of this opportunity for their intellectually disabled children,” said Adrienne Patterson, deputy director of USCA-Life, in a press release.
Tickets can be purchased here.
The program costs around $40,000 annually. For families who cannot afford the costs, there are merit-based scholarships, including state ones, according to a university press release.
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