University of North Texas 
The council announced this week that Pilar Rivera, a junior who is studying education
at UNT, has been named the recipient of the award which recognizes individuals with
autism, intellectual disability, and other developmental disabilities who excel in
one or more of the following areas: academics, arts, athletics, community service,
employment, extracurricular activities, independent activities, technology and self-advocacy.
This distinguished award is presented by The Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD), a special interest association within the Council for Exceptional Children – the largest international professional organization dedicated to supporting the
needs of students with disabilities.
Rivera was nominated by ELEVAR Program Director Pam Trocki-Ables, and Employment Development Coordinator Crystal George, and graduate research assistants Daphne Lynd and Alex Candelaria provided letters of support for the nomination.
“Pilar is most deserving of the DADD Shriver-Kennedy Student Achievement Award. She is a dedicated leader and passionate about making a positive impact both in and out of the North Texas community,” said Trocki-Ables. “It has been an honor to witness Pilar’s tremendous growth over her last three years here at ELEVAR and, as a program, we are incredibly proud of all of her accomplishments. Her enthusiasm to succeed is contagious and she embodies everything described in the qualifications for this award.”
Rivera is not only an astute student, she’s very active in extracurricular activities including the UNT dance team, the University Program Council – a student-run programming board that is devoted to planning and implementing events for students – and the Special Olympics. She also is gaining hands-on career experience by working at the UNT Center for Young Children, an early childhood program within the College of Education that uses a play-based, emergent curriculum built on the interests, curiosities and experiences of children ages 3-5.
Rivera will receive the award January 22 at DADD’s annual conference in Clearwater Beach, Florida.