https://www.geaugamapleleaf.com/schools/auburn-career-center-18/
Trevor Horvath, of Cardinal Local School District, and Ashton Zembower, of Madison, used the skills they are learning in their electrical engineering prep program to adapt toys for children with disabilities.
Jenni Rittenberry’s son Chace has FOXG1 syndrome, which is a condition characterized by impaired development and structural brain abnormalities. Rittenberry was trying to make toys adaptable for her son but encountered issues with soldering. She is a stylist and mentioned this to her client in general conversation. Her client was Ashton Zembower’s mother who suggested she contact Auburn.
Rittenberry contacted a lifelong friend, Justine Malvicino, Auburn’s career guidance advisor, to inquire if Auburn students could assist with this undertaking. From that point, Rittenberry’s frustration turned into hope and the conversation turned into action.
Auburn’s electrical engineering prep instructor Keith Conn worked with Natalie Wardega, of RePlay for Kids, a non-profit organization that works to increase the availability of toys and assistive devices for children with disabilities by repairing existing devices, adapting mainstream toys, designing new devices and educating families and clinicians.
Zembower and Horvath along with their classmates adapted the toys provided by RePlay for Kids. Chace received one of the toys.
“It was a great experience to see how happy he was,” said Zembower.
“His face really lit up. I loved doing this and am thankful for the opportunity,” said Horvath.
Adapted toys are more expensive to purchase and can be cost prohibitive for many families. RePlay for Kids provides the toys free of charge and is currently working on a partnership with the Geauga County Public Library on lending out the toys.
“These adapted toys are used for children with disabilities to help teach them cause and effect. If they can hit a switch and make toy work, they can learn to use a switch on a wheelchair, turn on lights and use communication devices. It’s really important in the steps of learning for these children,” said Wardega.
“Auburn is so proud of the creative ways our students apply their learning. This was such a cool opportunity for Ashton and Trevor to be able to take what they learned in the electrical engineering class and apply it to helping people in our own community,” said Dr. Bontempo, Auburn’s superintendent.
“It’s a toy he can actually play with. He wouldn’t be able to make it go otherwise. I’m so thankful for Auburn’s help,” said Rittenberry.