Most high schoolers are focused on the freedom of driving a car, beginning applications for college, and attending the next school dance. While many of his peers are checking their social media accounts and events calendar during their free time, North Thurston High School junior and Running Start student, David Quitugua, is busy adding volunteer hours to his growing resume.
Quitugua is spending his time in Michela Laverty’s Life Skills class at NTHS to help his fellow students. “I’ve always just been drawn to kids that are in special education,” explains Quitugua. “My brother is autistic so he’s a big reason I started doing this. I want to help kids just like him.”
“Normally, I offer a peer tutoring class to students interested in helping in my classroom,” describes Laverty. “David actually found me during lunch one day and offered to work with my kids. Ever since then, he shows up and helps whenever he can.”
With half of his day spent at the high school and the other half spent in Running Start at South Puget Sound Community College, time to help out in the classroom can be limited, but Quitugua makes every minute count. “Whenever I don’t have class in the afternoon, I try to help out with whatever the kids need. Sometimes it is just walking around with them if they are having trouble. Other times we will go outside and play.”
“School is a major priority right now, but I always make time to come and help.”
Laverty’s Life Skills class focuses on teaching students functional academics. This can include riding the city bus or ordering food from a local restaurant. Having an extra set of hands can be essential to student learning.
“Some of my students fight over him,” says Laverty. “He comes in without any training. David just figures out how to help kids in ways I couldn’t always do. He has such a connection to them.”
“Recently, we were working on creating presentations on the computer that required a lot of one-on-one help,” continues Laverty. “I usually have around ten kids in the room or on a field trip at a time so David’s help is greatly appreciated by not just me, but also the students. I’m so grateful to have him.”
Quitugua even sacrificed his own time playing sports to help the Life Skills students as a partner with Unified Sports. “Unified Sports is through Special Olympics,” explains Laverty. “Basically, general education students play on a team with my students in a variety of sports. Currently, we have a basketball team and soccer team. We have about 30 students involved right now. We have a huge interest, but just can’t support more than that right now. David is working as partner with our athletes this year. We practice twice a week and play games on the weekends in towns as far as Enumclaw. Hopefully, more Thurston County schools will create teams so our students won’t have to travel so far. It’s a great way for our students to build social skills.”
While Quitugua’s plate fills quickly with activities, he continues to make room for the future. “I want to go to the University of Washington to become an occupational therapist. I will be the first one from my family to get a college degree so it’s a big deal.”
“During my senior year, I want to be in Running Start full-time and keep helping out in the Life Skills class,” summarizes Quitugua. “I also really want to focus on my family. They are very important to me. My brother is a big factor in doing all of this. I know I will take care of him later in life so this is really a good start for me to learn what is best for him.”
