Graduating Pioneer student strives to become mechanic
CHILLICOTHE— Jacob Delozier is a 17-year-old who is kind-hearted, eager to help others, athletic and analytical.
Without knowing him, most would not assume his turbulent past.
His father, Doug Delozier Jr., was killed in a hit and run before Jacob was born. His mother, who was four months pregnant at the time, didn't think she could take care of a child on her own and planned to put her son up for adoption.
Doug Delozier Sr., Jacob's grandfather, was contacted by a caseworker about the situation. Before the call, Doug was not aware that he had a grandson. He met Jacob as soon as possible.
"When we had eye contact. He knew and I knew what I had to do," Doug said. "I absolutely, immediately adopted him."
For the first few years of his life, Doug said Jacob didn't speak, play with other kids, laugh or cry. At three years old, he was diagnosed with autism, cerebral palsy and ADHD.
The pair were living in Las Vegas at the time but decided to move back to Doug's home state of Ohio so Jacob could attend the Pioneer School. It took four years of waiting for an opening at Pioneer. In the meantime, Jacob attended three other local schools that could not meet his special needs. Doug said the wait for a spot at Pioneer was well worth it because it saved Jacob's life.
"I've had him all over the place in lots of different schools... I have cousins that live here in Chillicothe, and they were telling me about the [Pioneer] School. I thought, 'Wow, this is a godsend,'" Doug said. "Everybody's so awesome here. And they do so much. So many good things for the kids here, it's just unreal."
Brianna Mark, Jacob's teacher, said Jacob is friends with everyone in the classroom and always tries to help out when he can. She said he has matured since the beginning of the year and hopes he continues to grow after he graduates from Pioneer this year.
Mark said he also has a big interest in Legos, which you can always hear rattling around in his backpack.
Jacob also likes to stay active by playing basketball, running and dancing. Doug said his grandson was the center of attention at this year's prom while he showed off his dancing skills.
After graduation, Jacob is planning to continue his education at the Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center.
Seara Ackley is a job coach at Pioneer and helps students experience an assortment of work environments before they graduate. She takes them to different jobs around the community so students can see different skills in action.
The students have gone to restaurants, clothing stores and more. Jacob took a special liking to the auto body shop.
"We did go down to a collision shop and he was able to hang out there, watch and see what they do... that last guy, he cleans it and details it and gets it ready for the customer which [Jacob] seemed to like that," Ackley said. "That might be something in his future."
Ackley said that going into different work atmospheres has helped Jacob to grow socially and pick up new skills. She said she hopes the PRCTC will further his education and give him more freedom.
Jacob's great-grandfather was a transmission expert for the Ford Motor Company. When he passed away, he gave all his tools to Doug. Now that Jacob wants to pursue a similar career, Doug said, "It's all coming together."
Three students are graduating from the Pioneer Center this year at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 1.
Megan Becker is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. Call her at 740-349-1106, email her at mbecker@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @BeckerReporting
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Graduating Pioneer student strives to become mechanic
