Page 56 - The Exceptional Harley Fetterman

JUDY K JOHNSON

Prior to Harley's first day at James Bowie High School in the fall
of 2012, Harley and his parents met with all his new teachers. The
teachers, most of whom had not previously met Harley, were actually
more nervous than he was. Harley effortlessly displayed his endearing
personality to everyone in the meeting room with the wit of a
professional presenter and the style and charm of a comedian. He led
the group discussion with a conversation about how he learns best and
advised his new teachers on his preferred accessibility methods with
his devices. Often it was simply enough to save word documents on a
flash drive and Harley could upload them and have them
automatically converted to Braille on his device.

Before his first high school semester began, Harley spent time
walking throughout the campus with his white cane to “map” out
directions and distances between his classes and the cafeteria. He also
advocated to the school system that room numbers should be posted
in Braille so the campus hallways would be more accessible.
Whitney Shumate was Harley's Debate teacher when he was a
sophomore. Harley was quickly acknowledged as an amazing student
debater and became a fantastic anchor in a debate class full of various,
insane personalities expressing opposite opinions. Even at his first
debate held at Anderson High School, rather than being nervously
overwhelmed like most of his classmates, Harley took time to review
postings by noting where and when he would be competing. Then,
because he had not previously had the opportunity to map out the
school with his white cane, he confidently arranged for a student
helper to lead him to the correct place at the correct time. His debate
teacher noted that he appeared fearless to both fellow competitors and
other teachers as he took part in his first debate on Lincoln Douglas.

Another Debate Instructor, Brian Alford, remembered that Harley
could play devil's advocate in debate class like NONE OTHER. It
didn't matter what subject was discussed. Harley could take a position
contrary to anyone just to have a go at his classmates. Harley's
analytical and critical thinking skills were very impressive. It didn't
matter whether he believed his point of view or not, it was just what
he was thinking at the time (or, whatever was opposite the thinking of
his classmates, Vincente and Ethan, at the time).

40