Christopher's  favorite color is red because he likes to watch USC football with his dad.  Growing up with two other siblings, he enjoys being around others and hearing the chatter.  He loves being at his sister's volleyball game with all the cheering and high fiving.  Christophers' favorite thing is being able to attend Nest everyday and be to be with his friends.  Despite his blindness and hearing loss, he knows when he arrives in class after going through a long hallway to the gym and then hearing his friend Alex in the classroom who makes it knows to everyone that she is present with her happy yelling!

Kyle enjoys being in a setting of friends and family.  Kyle has 8 siblings and a family where he has a lot of love.  Kyle enjoys milkshakes and music.  This has always been an important part of his life.  Kyle in non-verbal yet he will say small lyrics from a song.  It is amazing to hear this.  Kyle is very happy to be a part of Nest and to be among his Nest friends.  There is a special atmosphere at Nest where the friends gather.  We are happy to have found such a gathering of friends.  

Jule has an extremely rare diagnosis of Trapp C9.  Jule is non-verbal and has severe developmental delays.  Jule is an extremely happy and engaging person.  Jule loves music, she loves to swing and to ride in her golf cart.  Mostly Jule just loves to sit and hang out with you!

Jimmy is the oldest of five children, and he is very much the center of his family.  He loves the chaos of his house and finds so much joy with his siblings.  Despite his severe intellectual and physical challenges, he enjoys being active.  He has been a member of Miracles in Motion Dance Troupe for ten years!  He also loves racing with Inclusive Racing and participating in church.  Jimmy thrives at the Nest Academy because he loves to be social and has really enjoyed music therapy and playing soccer!  His family is beyond thankful to see him so happy, and they also enjoy getting to spend time with the other students and families, too!

Mary Grace is a very happy young adult that loves to spend time with friends at Nest Academy.  Mary Grace also loves long walks, the beach, ECU football games, anything Disney and hanging out with her big sister.  Mary Grace is non-verbal, but she uses an eye gaze system that allows her to use her eyes to choose words on a voice generating device to let her thoughts and opinions knows.  

Alex loves spending time with her family, especially her brother and Papa!  Alex loves books, swimming and anything to do with water.  Alex absolutely loves riding the bus and going for walks around the neighborhood or area parks.  Alex loves attending Nest Academy and being able to socialize with her friends.  Although they are both non-verbal, she and her friend Christopher have a special way of communicating.  Alex loves music and really enjoys the music therapy Nest provides as well as the art projects.  Alex enjoys all of the fieldtrips Nest plans and socializing with her peers.

Stefan lives in the countryside and at home he loves going for walks outside and riding his adapted bike.  As a part of Nest Academy, Stefan enjoys going to class and seeing his friends, as well as getting out in the community for field trips.  His favorite things are anything Harry Potter, music, science, cooking shows and books.  Stefan doesn't let cerebral palsy and a wheelchair keep him from being an active member in the community.

Travis is an energetic young adult who enjoys sports (mainly football, baseball, and NASCAR) and spending time in the community with friends and family.  His outgoing nature is quickly discovered by new acquaintances and he’ll quickly capture your phone number for a subsequent call or text.  Surrounded by family and faith, Travis carves out his own version of normal and has to be reminded of his disability (cerebral palsy) and reliance upon a wheelchair.  Time in the workshop painting or sanding bluebird houses fills any time that’s not already committed by daily interests and outings.  His smartphone is his best friend but he completely understands it’s only a phone and can’t bring lasting relationships that he has come to cherish.  Whether it’s singing Sweet Caroline in the 8th inning of the Red Sox home game, or commiserating with fellow Cowboys fans after losing in the first round of the playoffs, Travis cherishes relationships and engagements such as the many opportunities the Nest Academy of RVA offers.

Greg enjoys learning new things, like guitar playing.  He enjoys being with people and is always eager to make new friends.  Greg also loves to help his brother Jonathan who is also a Nest Academy student.  Since Covid there have not been a lot of opportunities to socialize so we are grateful for Nest's outdoor programming and activities.

Jonathan's winning smile draws people to him.  Even without words he communicates joy.  He has a power pout that is especially effective at getting women drawn to him!  Nest has become so important for socialization since Covid and we are thankful for the outdoor opportunities Nest provides. 

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Evan no longer attends school and has an older brother with the same disability.  Evan loves the color blue and action-packed movies!  His favorite are the Rock and Vin Diesel.  Evan loves cars.  Evan loves when his dad plays the guitar for him, he loves country music.  Evan loves being a part of Nest and being able to be out in the community to socialize with her brother and peers. 

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Joey is a young adult that likes his moustache!  Joey has a  brother with the same disability.  He likes the color red and loves watching football and animal shows.  Joey loves dogs and, in the summer, he loves splashing everyone in the pool!  Joey loves when his dad plays the guitar for him.  Joey loves being a part of Nest and being out in the community and being able to socialize with his brother and peers. 

Cameron loves his iPad and watching TV. He loves being in the water and music.  He enjoys therapeutic horseback riding and being around the horses.  Cameron is very social and enjoys being around people and being able to participate in outings with his friends.  Participating in Nest has allowed Cameron to be around individual his own age while having fun learning and exercising.  Music class is one of Cameron's favorites!

Yvonne is a very happy and social young lady.  Yvonne enjoys going to Nest to see her friends, learn new and interesting things and going out on the Nest field trips.  Yvonne's infectious smile lights up the classroom every day.  

Jenna is diagnosed with a rare mutation of the TRAPPC9 gene.  Jenna is severely developmentally delayed and non-verbal.  She LOVES to swing, listen to music and watch The Greatest Showman.  She is full of laughs, loves snacks and being around everyone she loves.

Davis is a huge movie buff and will quote his favorites to you endlessly, especially Disney and Pixar movies. Some of Davis’ favorite Nest activities include music therapy and jamming out to music each day in class. Davis’ smile fills his entire face, matching his outgoing and friendly personality as he rolls up to anyone and asks “Who are you?”

Eli classifies himself as an extravert who never misses an opportunity for fun! He is incredibly gifted in the field of Bible jokes, but he often can't get through telling the joke because he's laughing so hard trying to tell it. A typical day for Eli consists of him doing some of his zentangle art designs while he sings along to any genre of music that isn't heavy metal (which is NOT his favorite). Eli is always down for a conversation about Disney, cooking, or how the line between country and pop music is more blurred now than it ever has been. Eli has enjoyed exploring all of the different activities that Nest Academy has to offer and is looking forward to continuing with the program.

Jasmine is a high spirited young lady with gorgeous curly hair and a smile that lights up a room! Even though she is deaf, she loves music and dancing- music therapy days are her favorite. She likes to be on the move and enjoys our visits to museums.

Carli is an effervescent young lady. She loves music (yes, she is a Swifty), Disney movies, Outback Steak House, Cheeseburgers and fries, and chocolate ice cream! She loves to volunteer and help where she can. She stays very active and brightens everyone’s day with her smile and laughter. In the summer, she loves to go to the pool or playground and swing.

​Social by nature, Jessa loves being with others, especially her 8 brothers and sisters. Jessa is 26 years old and loves coloring, dancing and anything music related! Jessa regularly attends church with her family and loves animals. When present at Nest activities, Jessa brings enthusiasm for class activities and celebrates her accomplishments and her peers with a jubilant ‘Whoop whoop!” She is eager to help set-up activities and games when transitioning from one activity to the next.

Neil (aka ‘Captain Bacon’ to his gym buddies due to his well-known love for bacon ) is a cool Dude who LOVES to hang with his buddies at Nest Academy RVA - playing games, going on adventures, and just being together. Nest gives much needed structure to his days, something to look forward to, and a place to belong. Neil is also a huge Scooby Doo and Shrek fan, has eclectic tastes in music (Shrek soundtrack, Born to Run, I’m All Shook Up, Do the Twist, Going on a Treasure Hunt…), and loves going to his music class and youth group, and playing on his basketball team.