Citrus County School District

By Bonnie Bunn

Camden Blackburn’s track season has been nothing short of remarkable. The standout athlete has already made waves in the 400-meter hurdles, a grueling event that demands equal parts speed, technique, and endurance. During only his second time competing in hurdles, Blackburn clocked an impressive 1:01.54—fast enough to qualify for regionals.

“That race was a big moment for me,” said Blackburn. “It felt amazing, but I’m staying humble during the journey.”

Blackburn competes exclusively in the 400-meter hurdles and has quickly developed a reputation as one of the region’s top rising athletes. Ranked 17th before districts, he surged to 3rd by the end of the meet, turning heads across the state.

His success hasn’t gone unnoticed. Blackburn is currently being recruited by Lawrence UNW, Hudson UNW, and Nebraska Wesleyan. Between track and football, he’s received 36 scholarship offers—an achievement few high school athletes can claim.

When it comes to choosing a school, Blackburn says he’s focused on financial support, academics, and athletic opportunity. With regionals on the horizon, he’s aiming to push his performance even further.

“My mindset is to go under,” he said, referring to his time goal. While qualifying for nationals remains in the back of his mind, he’s taking things one race at a time.

Behind his drive is a strong support system—most notably Mr. Gagne, a mentor and coach who “believed in me and never gave up,” Blackburn shared.

As for the future? “I see myself playing football at the next level at a D1 school while earning a medical degree,” he said.

With talent, humility, and ambition fueling his journey, Camden Blackburn is a name to watch—not just at regionals, but far beyond.

From Classrooms to Careers: The House Interview Project Prepares Students for Life After High School

By Bonnie Bunn

When students with disabilities are given the right tools and encouragement, they can thrive. That’s the mission behind the House Interview Project at Citrus High School, where real-world practice is turning self-doubt into success.

Mrs. Oliver, a dedicated educator, launched the House Interview Project back in 2010—originally under the name The House Project. “The goal was to help students develop life skills—how to talk to people they don’t know, how to interact in a community, and how to build the social skills they need to succeed,” she explained. “It was all about helping them grow into more confident, capable individuals.”

This year, the project returned with a strong focus on employment preparation. Since January, students have been working through a series of practical steps to prepare for the working world. They’ve created résumés, filled out job applications, and designed posters showing examples of proper and improper dress for interviews. Most recently, they’ve begun mock interviews with students from other classes to simulate a real job fair experience.

That job fair is based on positions at Buc-ee’s, a well-known convenience store chain. Students choose to apply for roles such as cashier, cook, stocker, manager, maintenance worker, or cleaner. They begin the interview by stating the position they’re applying for, which is then written on their evaluation form. It’s all part of building familiarity and comfort with the job-seeking process.

“Practicing job interviews prepares them for real-world transitions,” said Mrs. Oliver. “Students with disabilities often struggle with communication, so it’s especially important to encourage and motivate them. They need support learning how to find the right words, how to interact with others, how to dress appropriately, and even maintain good hygiene.”

The program is already showing impressive results. “Since January, four students have gotten jobs, and three others have earned their driver’s licenses,” Mrs. Oliver shared. “Even students who never thought college was possible for them are now seriously pursuing it.”

For her, the most rewarding part of the House Interview Project is simple but powerful: “Seeing students realize that they can succeed—that’s the most rewarding part.”

Looking ahead, she hopes to expand the program. “In the past, we’ve taught students how to write checks, count money, pay bills, and understand credit reports,” she said. “Whether we expand depends on the students’ abilities and needs. But our top priority remains helping them prepare for jobs and life after high school.”

With its focus on confidence, communication, and independence, the House Interview Project is more than a class assignment—it’s a launching pad for students to step into their futures with pride.