Variety School grad excels in school, on track

Tamia Mickles is graduating with a gold medal, two silver medals, a tiara and a resume stacked with extracurricular activities.

The 19-year-old is graduating from Variety School, a school that serves special needs students with physical, intellectual or emotional disabilities. She graduates Tuesday with the rest of her classmates.

Mickles, who was diagnosed with a moderate intellectual disability, has attended Variety since she was in the seventh grade, said her mother, Rebecca Rogers.

“She loves going to school. She loves everything from getting on the bus, to the relationships she has with the staff and teachers at Variety,” Rogers said.

At school, Mickles helps lead the recycling program, participates in chorus, runs on the track and field team and joins in on community outings.

“What makes her most happy is the sense of accomplishment,” Rogers said.

She’s seen her daughter progress from being fed pureed food to eating solid foods on her own. And just a couple of weeks ago, Mickles performed with the chorus and had a solo for the song “7 Years” by Lukas Graham.

Her father, Keith Rogers, was surprised; he said he didn’t know she was going to tackle the song on her own.

Like any proud parent, he recorded the entire thing on his phone, and said he was excited to watch her step up to the microphone with courage.

“She had never done that, and she went up there and sang the entire song,” he said. “You could hear her through the microphone, projecting sometimes.”

Around the house, Mickles helps with chores, taking out the trash before Monday mornings and helping put away groceries.

At their home on a Sunday afternoon, 7-year-old Christion and Mickles belted out “7 Years” with the rest of the family looking on. Her siblings, Christion and 7-month-old Landon, keep her busy at home.

Mickles was also voted prom queen this year. She smiled widely with the memory as she showed off her crown along with the medals she has earned for track and field accomplishnents.

This year, she participated in the Special Olympics, placing first in long jump, and getting second in the 100 and 200 meter races.

For her mother, realizing that her oldest daughter is graduating, seeing her progress through the years, is exciting.

“It’s surreal, just very surreal. Seeing her from where she was … we’re just excited about what’s next,” she said. “Just another chapter that we have to open.”

Though she is graduating, Mickles will be returning next year to Variety School to participate in a work program the school offers for graduates under age 22. There, she can focus on finding the kind of work program that she will enjoy, Rogers said.

Next year, Mickles and her parents are hoping she can join the 4x100 meter relay race, which she couldn’t compete in this year because of a scheduling conflict, her mother said. Her parents are hoping to let her try other sports too.

“How ‘bout swimming?” Mickles prompted.

“Maybe swimming,” her mother said.

“How ‘bout soccer?” she asked.

“Maybe soccer,” her mother said with a smile.

Contact Melissa Gomez at mgomez@reviewjournal.com or at 702-383-0278. Follow @melissagomez004 on Twitter.