ROSCOMMON- A young man of quiet demeanor, Chris Davis Jr. observed that his class at COOR, was “like a chameleon.”
Throughout a typical day or week, depending on outside influences, as well as the emotional and mental attitude of students and staff, a classroom may exude a life of its own. “Some days, there are many challenges in the classroom.”
Davis, who enjoys drawing and recognizing those uncertainties, designed the classroom logo, a chameleon. In addition to regulating their body temperature, a chameleon sometimes uses color changes to express their emotional state.
Using a calm light blue color for the body, Davis said the “bright primary colors make the parts of the chameleon pop,” as well as “showing the changes in the classroom surroundings.” “Every day it changes.” Some days presented “more challenges than others, like a chameleon.”
Davis began drawing when he was about ten or eleven years old. He “mostly enjoys drawing characters or cartoon type figures, and sketching.”
In addition to his art, Davis has been active in the Special Olympics. He participates in basketball, cross country, standing long jump, 100-meter dash, and the shot put.
Part of his education at COOR involves learning skills through their work program. His class works at twenty different sites a week. Some locations are the Brook and St. Vincent DePaul.
Davis recently began volunteering at the West Branch St. Vincent DePaul store, helping those bringing in donated items. Davis appreciates the help St. Vincent’s provide to those in need, both with giving out clothing or furniture, and by the funds raised in sales going toward someone’s financial needs.
In the past he has worked for the State of Michigan at the Rifle River Campground in Rose City and for Outdoor Adventure. Described by COOR staff as “a hard worker, and good with people,” they stated he’d be a “good employee.”
Davis will graduate from COOR in June and is actively looking for work. Until graduation day, he’s “working hard and taking it one day at a time.”
