FCPS Photo
Sam Massa, a former student at Rocky Run Middle School, returned to speak with current students on “Appreciating Learning Differences and Going After Your Dreams.” Massa, a former special education student who sees all text in classic mirror image and writes everything backwards, shared some stories about the passion and drive that kept him on track with students in Michelle Henry’s health class. His credits include becoming a U.S. Ski Team member, a DJ, an inventor, a digital age wizard, a ski instructor for special needs students, a businessman, a lights system expert, and a volunteer fireman as an adult. Massa was the subject of a CNN story when he was 17 and running a business that retrofitted overhauled diesel trucks to run on used vegetable oil. Now 27, he is married and works all over the world. Henry says Massa’s visit is particularly well-received by special needs students and many students tell her his stories are the best life lesson in their nine-week health unit.