Oak Forest Students Weld Broken Ramp For Disabled Peers

OAK FOREST, IL – Two students at Oak Forest High School recently put their talents together to rebuild part of a sports ramp after a piece from the old one disappeared.

“The metal piece that holds the ramp was lost or accidentally thrown of away leaving the Destiny students unable to use it,” Jamie Bonnanema said, a spokesperson for Bremen High School District 228.

Oak Forest High School often host students from all over the southwest suburbs for a program called DESTINY which stands for ‘Discovering Every Skill That Is Now Yours.’ The goal of the program is "to provide stimulating and meaningful education to students with multiple disabilities using proven methods, various technologies, and integrated related services in a safe and nurturing environment in order to help each individual reach his or her maximum level of independence in all facets of life."

The DESTINY Program had a metal bowling ramp used for various activities. But a part of the ramp went missing.

However, when applied engineering students, Jake St. Marie and Phil Bucher, got word of the situation, they decided to get to work. They cut and welded the stand for the ramp to be made functional again.

As a thank you, DESTINY program organizers recently had the students come to a PE class and see their peers using the ramp to play cardio kickball. The students are able to use the ramp again thanks to these two talented students