Zachary Frazier spends a lot of time playing video games. He likes the competitive nature of UNO and Call of Duty. Sometimes he'll stay up until 5 a.m. playing these games with friends.
As a recent graduate from Ridgeland High School, when he's not passing the time that way, he's filling out job applications. But the ability to do these things wasn't always so easy, especially without a computer at home.
During his senior year, Frazier was part of the school's Georgia High School High Tech Program.
High School High Tech offers vocational and soft-skills training to students in special education programs. Students go on field trips, attend resume workshops, practice mock interviews and learn how to fill out job applications in preparation for life after high school. The statewide program is a partnership between the school, the Georgia Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.
"It helps to see people working their everyday jobs to imagine what the future could look like," said Frazier, 18, noting a memorable tour of McKee Foods.
Dr. Dorothy Patterson, head of the special education department at Ridgeland, said the HSHT Program was integrated at the school in January.
Each year, the program has a statewide competition that boasts a prize of a new laptop. Students are asked to complete a PowerPoint or essay about their journey and plans for the prize, Patterson explained.
Frazier, who was an active participant in the program, started working on his competition entry right away with the help of his case manager, Julie Butler.
"Zach came in on a daily basis [to work on his project]. He was excited to share how he overcame his personal tragedies and why he wanted to win," Butler said.
In 2017, Frazier lost his home and father to a devastating house fire. Among the items lost was his computer. And as teachers integrate more technology in the classroom, requiring home-typed essays or take-home readings, not having access to a computer can challenge students to get their work completed.
For most assignments, Frazier said he would use his phone or find time during his lunch block to get to a school computer to do his work. In his PowerPoint, he expressed how having access to his own laptop would make it easier to get work done and find employment.
Frazier, who graduated in May, said the laptop has already made a difference in his life. He's filling out job applications as often as possible.
"I'm looking anywhere that's hiring," said Frazier. "Anywhere that would be a good starting point."
Email Sabrina Bodon at sbodon@timesfreepress.com.