Using Discovery, High School Transition to Work Student Enjoying His Passion

Gabe Radcliff is a High School Transition to Work student thru the Harrison County Board of Education. Gabe is a senior at Liberty High School and will graduate this May 2014.    Gabe is excited about the opportunities ahead for him.

Gabe loves theater and enjoys playing characters.  He has held leading roles in the Wizard of Oz, Aladdin, and Shrek in his high school plays and received excellent reviews from everyone who had the opportunity to see one or all of the plays.  Because Gabe loves playing a character, we began searching for employment opportunities where he could fulfill his love of acting, while utilizing his skills and talents. 

During Discovery, we visited the Illusive Skull in Fairmont.  The owner recognized Gabe as soon as we walked through the door from the plays he performed in in high school.   We began talking, and she stated that Gabe did an excellent job in Shrek.   The owner gave us contact information for Fairmont State University Community Theater that puts on plays in the summer.   Gabe scheduled an audition and earned a part playing a town person in the play, Tom Sawyer.

Using social capital with Chick-Fil-A, Gabe expressed an interest in dressing as the cow character.  We scheduled an Informational Interview with the owner of our local Chick-Fil-A, and she agreed that she could use Gabe to dress as the cow. By having Gabe as the designated “cow” person, she does not have to pull another employee away from their tasks.   

The first night Gabe worked was Kid’s Night; and, he loved it!   Afterwards, he asked when he could work again.   Gabe is working at Chick-Fil-A two to three nights a week dressing as the cow and entertaining the children.   He not only works at the restaurant, but they have also asked Gabe to be involved in their community events. 


The future looks bright for Gabe.  He’ll soon begin play practice with the community group for the first community play of the summer at Fairmont State University.  We are continuing to use social capital as a means to introduce Gabe to local actors and other businesses, such as the Illusive Skull, where Gabe can continue to grow his interests and skills in the area of acting.

Submitted by:  Julie Davis, Career Counselor