THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 22, 1996 TAG: 9603210151
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: THUMBS UP
SOURCE: BY ALEXIS M. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
GRINNING FROM EAR TO EAR, his face lit with pride, John Hartley Jordan III confidently walked to the podium to accept the ``Handicapped Employee of the Year'' award from the Virginia Beach Rotary Club last week.
After thanking the Lord, his parents and all those who have helped him along the way he choked back tears, saying, ``I sure hope I don't start crying.''
Jordan, 33, who has Down syndrome and is in an assisted living program through the Community Service Board's Supported Employment Unit, is a custodian at Princess Anne High School.
He's worked there since July 1988, but his employment history dates back to 1983 when he began his first competitive job at what was a Drugfair store on Laskin Road.
``Participants in this program have completed high school and special training, then are placed in an assisted living environment,'' said Carmen Mendez, employment services coordinator.
Jordan follows a budget and has other activities he enjoys. ``I like to jog, go to the movies and dances,'' he said. He also participates on Special Olympics soccer and basketball teams.
Al Johnson, custodial supervisor at Princess Anne High School, was credited with taking Jordan under his wing and teaching him the finer points of custodial work.
Jordan works from 2 to 8 p.m. cleaning classrooms - sweeping the floors, emptying trash cans, vacuuming, dusting and mopping his assigned section.
``When we had the fire at Princess Anne, he worked just as hard as everyone else getting us settled in Celebration Station, and it was quite a task,'' Johnson said.
The Rev. Fredrick `Fritz' Stegemann of Open Door Chapel is chairman of the club's committee that selected the ``Handicapped Employee of the Year.''
``Jordan was cited for his accomplishments for unselfishly inspiring others who are handicapped,'' Stegemann said. The Rev. Edward L. Richardson, a retired Navy chaplain, presented the award to Jordan. ``I think this is a great outpouring of love on everyone's part. There are such good feelings created.''
The Rotary Club received three nominations from the Community Services Board for the ``Handicapped Employee of the Year'' award. There are 135 special people employed through the employment services unit. ``We could only pick three but there were many more that meet the criteria of the Rotary Club,'' said Mendez.
This award, created six years ago by the Rotary Club, is designed to honor disabled persons who perform valid jobs in the industry in which they are employed, are respected by their supervisors and are assets to the business.
The club encourages applicants who meet the criteria to apply throughout the year. The selection process is held in December.
The award is one of the many things the club does during the year to raise money and honor citizens. It was also instrumental in founding the Shamrock Marathon and awards a $5,000 Brickell scholarship each year to a Virginia Beach high school senior in addition to donating money for various community services.
Jordan's parents, the Rev. John Jordan, former rector of Galilee Episcopal Church, and Robin Jordan, were on hand for the presentation. ``We are so proud of his accomplishments. And extremely happy that we found this program that has helped him become a productive citizen,'' Robin Jordan said.
At the end of the presentation Hartley proudly held up the plaques presented to him. ``I have two of them and I'm so happy,'' he said. MEMO: For more information on the ``Handicapped Employee of the Year Award,''
call the Rev. Fredrick `Fritz' Stegemann of Open Door Chapel at
340-1441.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
John Hartley Jordan III, 33, who has Down syndrome, has been a
custodian at Princess Anne High since 1988 and assisted in the
school's move to Celebration Station after the fire.
by CNB