Jordan is already improving lives through her commitment to making the world a more inclusive place for people with different abilities. Numerous awards highlight her efforts with people who have intellectual / developmental challenges, including The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Community Service Award, the Anne Frank Humanitarian Award, Shorecrest Athletics Commitment to Others Award -- and when Shorecrest was awarded the 2018 Community Service Award from PARC, Jordan was awarded PARC’s 2018 Community Volunteer of the Year as the Founder and President of the Shorecrest club SPARC, which brought students to volunteer at PARC. PARC is a nonprofit organization in St. Petersburg whose mission is to provide opportunities for children and adults with developmental disabilities to experience life to the fullest.
Jordan founded SPARC in her junior year to support people with intellectual / developmental challenges. In her own words, “SPARC is active in the greater community working with various organizations, mainly PARC. Throughout the summer and on days when we are off school, students go to PARC and work on art projects with their clients and we produce a musical with them. We also volunteer at the Special Olympics throughout the year and a prom for students with special needs.”
At PARC, Jordan worked alongside the Arts Administrator and Certified Music Therapist, Mattie Mingst, to assist in the development of a summer musical theater program called the Inspired Performers @ PARC. Mattie said, “Her involvement allowed the Inspired Artist Studios @ PARC to become a full, well-rounded arts program that would ultimately educate the over 800 children and adults at PARC to experience true arts culture within their own community. She paved the way for new volunteers and interns who want to learn through the arts program at PARC, and Jordan showed leadership to those who needed guidance when working with the clients.“
Bonni Klement, Associate Director of College Counseling, expanded on Jordan’s commitment and its ties to her family life. “At home, Jordan is More to her family, especially to her two younger sisters Ella and Myla ‘25. Ella was born with an intellectual disability. As a result, Jordan has had exposure to individuals with varying special needs. Given her special connection with her sister Ella, Jordan has become immersed in the special needs communities, charities and their causes.She brought her theatre classmates to PARC, and with their assistance, worked with the clients at PARC on basic acting, singing, and dancing techniques while choreographing a musical revue from “The Lion King.” The show was a huge success and a tradition that will certainly carry on long after Jordan leaves for college.”
Jordan anticipates being an advocate for those with special needs as she continues her life's journey. She states, "I believe the best way to change the world is to bridge the gap between people who are different from one another."