New C-M grad inspires others as he greets next life challenge
Blaze Koteles is assisted by Bob Chuey, special education coordinator at Canon-McMillan, as he prepares to receive his diploma.
Blaze Koteles with Canon-McMillan’s special education coordinator Bob Chuey
Blaze Koteles walks with Bob Chuey to receive his diploma at Canon-McMillan’s commencement on June 6.
Blaze Koteles was carried into kindergarten registration more than a dozen years ago.
While he has needed lifted up many times in his days in the Canon-McMillan School District, Koteles also stands on his own as he battles cerebral palsy.
On June 6, Koteles graduated from Canon-McMillan High School, proud and accomplished.
Bob Chuey, special education coordinator for Canon-McMillan School District, was there – as he has been almost every step of the way – to stand with the special young man as he received his diploma.
Koteles uses a walker and wheelchair for mobility. Those only helped him in his pursuit of higher education and a life few would ever have expected he could have.
On graduation night, however, Koteles got up out of his wheelchair, and with Chuey holding him every step of the way, walked to receive his diploma from Dave Helinski, high school principal.
He did so to a standing ovation, and with his classmates and fellow graduates cheering wildly for him.
“It was only the second standing ovation I ever saw in that setting in my 19 years,” Chuey said. “It moved emotions for a lot of people.”
Koteles, 18, nearly died before having a kidney transplant in sixth grade. He spent time having homebound instruction.
Koteles set his mind to work hard and achieve. He started at vocational technology in 10th grade in computer networking. He earned the highest standardized test scores in the area over all students the teacher had taught for the previous seven years. He has earned certifications outside of school in computer technology.
Koteles earned advanced certification, which, according to Kurt Blanock, computer networking teacher at Western Area Career and Technology Center, “is difficult and takes years of preparation to achieve.”
Said Chuey: “Blaze scored near the top because of his own hard work as well as having a brilliant instructor at vo-tech, and a wonderful paraeducator.
“My words cannot do justice to explain what Blaze has accomplished.”
Blaze’s mother, Cheryl Koteles, said her son “amazes her.”
“For all the things he has been through, it is unbelievable,” she said. “The district has been awesome. The system, the staff, the teachers and Bob Chuey have been outstanding in taking care of and helping Blaze. I am very amazed.”
Koteles plans to attend Community College of Allegheny County South in West Mifflin next school year through Job Corps.
“I feel with what I have accomplished here, if you try your hardest, you can do anything,” Blaze said. “My brother was involved in computer technology and that really inspired me to do what he does.
“I’m going to work for an associate degree in information support technology. I need to earn more certifications to allow me to get a good job.”
As remarkable as Blaze’s achievements have been, the team that supported him and lifted him up are inspired and emotional as he moves to the next phase of his life.
“He never dwelled on what he couldn’t do,” Blanock said. “When Blaze sets a goal, he is focused and driven to reach it. He is a leader, truly an inspiration. He participates in class and answers and asks questions. It’s going to be pretty quiet next year.”
Cary Spilsbury, Blaze’s physical therapist, said, “Blaze was a pleasure to work with. He persevered. He is aware of the world around him and he challenged himself. He has goals, and he has achieved a lot.”
Blaze said one of the most challenging times for him was waiting for the kidney transplant. He was on the list for seven months.
His teachers and support team “helped” him with his diet. They would watch what he was eating.
“It was pretty hard,” Blaze said. “The hardest part was being around food I wasn’t allowed to eat.”
Chuey said he thinks they made sure Blaze only ate plain chicken patties for about five years.
“The only thing we’d let him have was a little ketchup sometimes,” Chuey said with a chuckle.
“They finally let me have other things with my chicken patties,” Blaze said. “It seems like a long time.”
Kelly Farrell, Blaze’s case manager and special education teacher, and her colleagues were emotional talking about Blaze and his graduation. They understand things are going to be different next year.
“I worked with him four years,” she said. “I was and am struck by how polite this young man is every day. He always says thank you. His manners are impeccable. It was my pleasure working with him. Blaze is ready for anything.”
Stephanie Sinozich, paraeducator, also worked with Blaze for four years.
“The best experience of my life,” she said. “He is the politest person I ever knew. I enjoyed every single day with him. Kurt certainly mentored him and advocated for him. Blaze accomplished so much. He progressed leaps and bounds. I am so proud of him.”
Chuey admits that through the years, there was a lot of trial and error to help Blaze overcome. Through it all, Blaze wore a smile and a positive attitude.
“He was always that way,” Chuey said. “If something didn’t work, he was patient and just kept a positive attitude. He pushed hard to do what he wanted to do and what he wanted to achieve.”
Said Jami Dantry, Blaze’s occupational therapist: “He advocated for his needs to increase his independent life after high school. There was always something Blaze worked for and he would achieve it.”