Cooking Up a Future with Easterseals Arkansas
By Katelyn Allen on Monday, November 3, 2025
Since she was 4 years old, Shawn Morehart has attended Easterseals Arkansas, where she receives her education and learns skills to take into the workforce. She has always eagerly accepted any challenges presented by classes and therapy appointments at the nonprofit. Ever since she was young, she has taken a strong interest in nutrition classes, inspiring her to pursue a culinary career.
“All my life, my mom worked hard, but always came home and cooked a good dinner for us,” Shawn said. “I started helping with holiday cooking and baking. It was so much fun! I also got to spend time with my brother-in-law, who is a chef. He showed me new foods, and we had lots of fun.”
Not only is Shawn an accomplished student at Easterseals, but she was also the first Easterseals student with Down Syndrome to graduate mainstream at Central High School in Little Rock. Graduating mainstream means a student completed their studies and graduated by taking general education curriculum classes from a standard public high school. She started in the developmental preschool program at Easterseals and now has a high school diploma and is part of the Adult Training Center.
“Anything is possible if you work hard and your heart wants it,”
Shawn said.
She received a standing ovation from her classmates and teachers when she graduated, danced on stage at Disney World, won first place in the Pensacola National Dance Competition, is a student youth leader at her church and has appeared on the cover of Little Rock Soirée magazine.
During her free time, she enjoys working in her vegetable and herb garden, discovering new music, hiking with her family and reading. She also spends time with her boyfriend, attending ACCESS Little Rock’s weekly “Friday Night Hangout.” She plays competitive baseball with the Miracle League and enjoys attending plays at local theaters across the metro.
Her advice to students wanting to pursue a career they’re passionate about is simple: “Find what you like. If you are good at it, working hard pays off.”
