A Decade of Fostering Inclusion and Belonging for All Students: The RAMS Program Celebrates 10 Years of Impact

In 1978, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a powerful call for Catholic schools to fully welcome students with disabilities, affirming that “there can be no separate Church for people with disabilities. We are one flock that serves a single shepherd.” Decades later, that message took root at Central Catholic. In 2010, Central Catholic launched its Student Support Services, a program designed to help students with learning differences receive the tools, guidance, and academic support they needed to thrive. This early work laid the foundation for something bigger.

By 2013, Central Catholic began preparing for an expansion of this vision, and during the 2015-16 school year, it officially launched the RAMS Program, a groundbreaking academic pathway specifically designed to welcome students with intellectual disabilities fully into the classroom and school. Built on individualized learning, meaningful inclusion, and Catholic values emphasizing the dignity of every person and inclusion, the RAMS Program marked a pivotal moment in Central Catholic’s commitment to ensuring that all students—regardless of background, ability, or need—have a place to learn, grow, and contribute to the broader community. 

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the program. What began as a daring idea has become one of the most influential and beloved programs on campus, transforming not only the students it serves but the entire community around them.

Its impact is best understood through the voices of those who have been involved in the program—both as RAMS students and as Peer Mentors. Many RAMS students describe their experience as one filled with friendship, a sense of belonging, and confidence. Senior Jackson Bennett ‘26 shared simply, “I love the Peer Mentors I get to work with. They have become my friends.” His reflections include the everyday joy of connection: walking the halls together, working side by side in class, or sharing moments at school events. For Jackson, the program revealed the true heart of the school: “We are a family and help each other. Everyone is included and treated how they want to be treated.”

For others, the program strengthened their sense of self. Alum Cheyenne Kelly ‘20 said the RAMS Program taught her that “everything is challenging, but if you believe in yourself, you can do it.” That confidence helped her grow into the young adult who now leads and encourages younger students as a camp counselor.

Some students have even found independence and strength in unexpected places. Dan Zavage ‘24 remembers the pride he felt learning to stay focused and advocate for himself. Now, a thriving Sophomore at Benedictine College, he reflects, “The RAMS Program means a lot to me, every time I came to school I always saw friends, teachers, and the staff.” For many alumni, the RAMS title feels less like a title and more like a family they carry forward.

Perhaps one of the most powerful examples of the program’s long-lasting impact is seen through alum Nate Trevino ‘20. His experience spanned across sports teams, the RAM Roast Coffee Cart, and friendships that have lasted far beyond graduation. Reflecting on his years at 24th and Stark, he shared, “I was part of something that was so special. I flourished at Central Catholic, and it changed the trajectory of my life.” Nate has maintained a strong connection with his former mentors and friends, which is evident through various meet-ups. For instance, he enjoyed dinner in Rome with fellow alum Brian Betcone '19 and his family after Brian graduated from high school, and also visited Brian at the University of Oregon. Eleanor ‘21 and Emma ‘19 Ramsey and Annika Ziels ‘20 have also always supported Nate. These Peer Mentors played crucial roles in Nate's life during his time at Central Catholic and beyond, reflecting the depth of the relationships he formed here.

Peer Mentors, too, speak about their time working in the RAMS Program as a defining experience, one that has shaped their character, career paths, and understanding of community. For some, this experience revealed their true calling. Eleanor described her years as a Peer Mentor as transformational. “I never imagined becoming a teacher…But during my first year of college, something felt missing. Working with students with physical and intellectual disabilities helped me discover how much I love watching people learn. I saw that I could make a meaningful difference—and in that realization, I found myself.” 

Others shared that the leadership and empathy they developed in the RAMS Program shaped the careers they would later pursue. From nursing to human resources to education, former Peer Mentors say they continue to rely on the patience, communication skills, and compassion they learned from working alongside RAMS Students. Yet for many, the most lasting impact is found in the relationships themselves. Donald Hunter ’18 reflected, “I eventually became a support for Cody Turtola ‘20 outside of Central Catholic and worked with him for many years. Now, I would just call him a friend, and I am grateful that our relationship was able to evolve the way it did.”

For Annika, the experience was nothing short of transformative. “Being a Peer Mentor was single-handedly the best part of my high school experience and will always be one of the most impactful roles of my life. The peer-to-peer connection built with the students in the program was magic—challenging, raw, beautiful, messy, hilarious, enriching, and centered around love. When you break it down, that’s what any healthy, meaningful friendship looks like. What I gained were real friendships that grew with me far beyond my time at Central Catholic.”

Across all these stories, students and mentors alike, the message is the same: the RAMS Program is a reminder of what happens when a community chooses belonging as a cornerstone, celebrates every person’s gifts, and understands that inclusion is more than just an act of service—it is an exchange of joy, growth, and humanity. 

Ten years in, and the Rams Program has transformed lives, strengthened the heart of the school, and modeled what authentic community looks like. The next decade can promise the same: students discovering their confidence and voice, mentors finding their purpose, and a community continuing to be shaped by love, friendship, and the belief that everyone belongs.