Student stays busy perking up others

(ST. HELENS) — A senior at St. Helens High School, Matthew Boren serves his school in many ways, helping out in the kitchen, assisting with laundry, and, most importantly, helping lift the spirits of those around him.

Boren is in the transition program at St. Helens High, which means he is working on life skills and work training until he turns 21.

It’s challenging for Boren since he experiences a disability that makes it difficult for him to speak without the assistance of an augmentative communication device.

Boren is a joy to be around, says his teacher, Carmen Rice.

“Matthew is such a light in our school,” Rice said.

Rice says Boren works in the coffee cart program by going to teachers through the building to take and deliver their coffee orders. He also finds time to help the kitchen prepare lunch for the general education students.

He also assists in the laundry by washing kitchen rags and then drying and folding them.

Boren’s guardians are Josh and Jennifer Wiley.

Josh Wiley said the transition program is similar to regular school.

“He’s still going to school on the same basis and going to the same classroom, but now they’re more focused on life skills and vocational skills, than just academic,” Josh Wiley said.

“He has already graduated high school but needs more services,” Jennifer Wiley said, noting the transition program will help Boren find a job.

Josh and Jennifer Wiley receive updates on Matthew’s progress during the school year.

“He works hard at school, likes going to school, and then, at the end of the day, they give us a written thing of what he did that day,” Josh Wiley said.

Whether working in the kitchen, helping with the laundry, or delivering coffee, Boren makes it a point to lift the spirits of students and teachers. "Very social" is how Jennifer Wiley describes Matthew.

“Even at church, he’s there greeting people at the door,” she said. “He lights the candles on the altar, then he puts them out. On Communion Sunday, he helps pick up the empty wine cups.”

Boren’s career goal is to work with the Scappoose Police Department, perhaps helping with light filing.

During his off times, Boren enjoys dodgeball, bowling, movies, YouTube videos and Nintendo.

Rice said, “Everywhere he goes on campus, he greets each person and spreads joy along the way. He is one of the most empathetic people I have ever met. Even without the full ability to communicate, he can tell when others are sad and goes out of his way to make them feel better. He embodies kindness, which is much needed in the world.”

“That young man greets everyone he meets with a huge smile and immediately makes them a friend," Rice continued. "Using either his communication device or a combination of sounds and gestures, he asks questions about how they are feeling, things they like or are interested in and what they are doing.”

Upon hearing about the Amazing Kid nominations, Gail Kearsley, the high school’s media center librarian, said of Boren, “I just wanted him to be recognized for all of his ‘superpowers’ and the way he brings such joy to everything and everybody he comes in contact with.”