Thomas Joel Inderieden, of Sauk Rapids was recently recognized as the Minnesota Women of Today 2016 Outstanding Person with Developmental Challenges. Since 1994 MNWT has annually presented this award, which honors individuals who have overcome challenges and become productive, contributing members of the community. TJ was nominated for the Outstanding Person with Developmental Challenges Award by the Rice Women of Today.
Twenty-two-year-old TJ was born with Down syndrome and was in mainstream education until graduation. In his sixth-grade year, he also started in the Bridges Transition Program, which focuses on establishing a path to successful, independent living. During high school, TJ was a manager for the football and basketball teams, on the golf and swim teams, and served as captain of the swim team as well. He also held a part-time position at the local Burger King. In his senior year, his classmates elected him Homecoming King and he participated in the commencement ceremony. After graduation, TJ returned to the Bridges Program for an additional three years as a coach. His supervisor and teacher Amy Johnson states, “TJ is a very special young man who has never let his disabilities limit him.”
TJ was always one of the friendliest kids in school who didn’t let Down syndrome define him. His mother shared that TJ never considered himself handicapped and gives everything he does 100 percent: she stated, “TJ has a smile that lights up our lives each and every day.”
During his many years at Camp Knutson in Cross Lake, TJ was voted “Camper of the Year,” “Best Swimmer,” and “Most Polite Camper.” TJ became such an integral part of Camp Knutson they created a position so he could return as a counselor; a true testament to the effect TJ has on others, it established a role for other future attendees.
In addition to having a very active family life of hunting, fishing, camping and four-wheeling, TJ also loves car racing. After serving many years as a pit crew member for Shane Sabraski, he now owns his own race car and has attended NASCAR camp. TJ’s goal is to drive in an actual race, and his racing friends are helping him achieve it.
TJ now works at the Talahi Care Home. He not only cleans rooms for the residents, but has a set of residents for whom he is responsible. This position is perfect for TJ as he always wants to take care of everyone, and proves on a daily basis he is a vital and contributing employee. His supervisors stated, “This is a young man that enables the sun to shine when he enters the building, but also has great potential in whatever vocation he should choose – and we do mean WHATEVER he chooses!”
The Rice Women of Today, his nominating chapter, said they think “TJ completely embodies all aspects of what this award stands for…. His natural happy and generous nature, along with his huge heart, makes him an absolute joy to be around…. His positive outlook and readiness to always lend a helping hand makes him very deserving of this award.” As one of the judges stated, “I would love to see TJ get involved with the various advocacy groups available. TJ is a remarkable young man who is truly deserving of the 2016 Outstanding Person with Developmental Challenges Award.
Mathew Supan, Rice, was recently recognized as Ag Arama royalty at the University of Minnesota-Crookston. He is a junior majoring in animal science.
Two Sauk Rapids-Rice High School graduates were recently named to the fall dean’s list at Concordia College, Moorhead.
They are the following: Emily Campbell, daughter of Deb and Scott Campbell, Sauk Rapids, a junior; and Hannah Voigt, daughter of Linda and Scott Voigt, Rice, a freshman.
Students must earn a minimum 3.7 grade-point average to qualify for this honor.
