"Good job, you won!" Hannah Carey exclaims as she helps Sarah Hands, a student with developmental disabilities, place the final piece in a game of Tic-Tac-Toe.

Thanks to Carey and others in Jane Kiekel's leadership class at Corvallis High School, this kind of student-to-student instruction is a familiar scenario, pairing traditional students with those in the LifeSkills course for students who have special needs.

"It took me a while, but I've found my passion," Carey said, as students played games at the CHS cafeteria. "I see that those with differing abilities are wonderful, unique and loving kids and friends."

Carey said she noticed that the students taking LifeSkills courses usually sat by themselves during lunch.

"The mainstream kids didn't mingle with them," Carey said.

So Carey started encouraging the mainstream students to extend a welcoming hand to their fellow Spartans.

Debbie Hood, who has worked with the LifeSkills students for 13 years, said the Leadership Class outreach efforts are greatly appreciated.

"They eat lunch with our kids, play games with them and have even taken them to dances and out to eat at Shari's," Hood said. "They have been very inclusive of our kids. They make the kids feel welcome."

Hood called Carey the "ring leader."

"She's wonderful, so patient with the kids," Hood said. "She makes good eye contact and is sweet with them. Before, our kids really didn't know what to do after they ate lunch. Now, they look forward to playing games and talking with the other kids."

Some of the LifeSkills students venture over to the forum area and take part in lunchtime time events such as singing and dancing, Carey said.

Four of the LifeSkills students attended the school's winter formal along with their Leadership Class friends. The moment was memorable not just for the students, but for their parents as well, Carey said.

"Some of the parents were in tears," Carey said. "They never thought their kids would be able to go to winter formal."

Carey grew up in a single-parent family, and her role model is her mother, who is an addictions counselor and who "finds happiness by helping others."

"I guess I grew up more aware of others and of various issues," Carey said. "High school has definitely been a learning experience. I've learned to interact with other students who have other viewpoints. It took a while to find my passion, but it's social justice. I want to make a difference in other people's lives."

Hannah Carey

Age: 17

Family: mother, Cecelia Carey; siblings Rebekah McNall, 24; Layah, 11; Nicholas, 9; Ava, 4; Necie, 3.

Occupation: Senior at Corvallis High School

Claim to fame: Heads up a leadership class where CHS students assist students who have developmental disabilities.

Hobbies/activities: Played soccer for the Spartans and "dabbled" at rugby and basketball; junior class co-president; leadership class; National Honor Society.

Future plans: Attend college and major in anthropology or biology.