One day, during a team’s Power Drive session, the school’s Activities Director stopped by. He was accompanied by a gentleman who turned out to be the father of a prospective Power Drive student. The parent explained that his son, Kevin, is on the autism spectrum. He was looking for activities which Kevin could join and enjoy. The coach (Dave) described the Power Drive program, noting that there are many skills needed on the team, such as driving, building, photography, writing, design work, etc. The father did not want his son to drive, but otherwise liked what he heard.
Coach Dave asked about Kevin’s interests. One of them was drawing comic book characters, an artistic talent Kevin had. Dave showed the parent examples of the Documentation entries made by the team in earlier years. All were drawn using computer graphics tools because there had never been a student on the team with artistic skills. Kevin’s ability to draw things free hand would be a great alternative to computer graphics. They agreed to have Kevin attend the next Power Drive session.
Kevin came to the next meeting, very quiet, and obviously a little shy about fitting into a new group. The team members were friendly and low key as they introduced themselves and then went back to work. Coach Dave showed Kevin around, explaining the workshop and the cars. Then he described to Kevin two themes that the team wanted to use for the cars. One was a deer (based on the school’s mascot), and the other was an alien (based on the vehicle’s theme). Could Kevin draw something that combined these themes in some kind of car appearance? Kevin thought for a moment, nodded, sat down, and started drawing. Within a few minutes, he was done, coming up with these drawings:
This was amazing! At the next meeting, the team set up a drawing table, complete with art supplies, colored pencils, and large paper sheets, and Kevin went to work. The team gave him many more ideas, previous diagrams, and other things that could be drawn free hand. These were incorporated into the team’s documentation entries. They stood out in contrast to using computer graphics.
At the Power Drive championship rally each season, during the awards ceremony, trophies are given out for each event, including Best Documentation. Coach Dave privately told the other team members that if the team won a Documentation award, to make sure that Kevin led the way up to accept the award. The third-place winner was announced, but it was a different team (good!). Fingers crossed. Second place was announced, but again, it was a different team (better!). Holding our breath. First place was announced, and it was Coach Dave’s team! With gentle prodding, the team got Kevin in front, and they all walked up to get the trophy as a team!
Kevin grinned from ear to ear as he accepted the trophy. But as big as that grin was, it was only the third largest grin that day. The second largest was that of Coach Dave. The largest was on the faces of Kevin’s parents as they watched their son earn a big award with his team!
Kevin had found a home in Power Drive. Although he was never a driver, over time he learned to use hand tools to help build cars and became proficient in photography to go along with his artwork. His contributions made their way into the team’s Documentation entries.
Kevin’s skill certainly contributed to the high score of the Documentation entry for its quality and originality. For the rest of his time on the Power Drive team, he took charge of the artwork and assisted in photography. The team continued winning this event in later seasons. It gave Kevin the confidence to pursue artwork after high school. He went on to major in art at the local community college. Kevin is one of the many success stories found across Power Drive schools.
