A video of a Dorman high school student receiving an acceptance letter to Clemson University has gone viral.
Rion Holcombe, 20 years old, received the letter in the mail and his parents broke out the video camera immediately and uploaded his reaction to YouTube. The video was uploaded by Rion’s mother, Susan Holcombe, and had over 100,000 hits and 2,500 likes Wednesday night.
Rion’s father, Danny Holcombe, says that going to Clemson has always been a dream of Rion’s and he has talked about it for a long time.
Many people would find this acceptance perplexing. However, Clemson in one of five universities in South Carolina to have what is called a “LIFE” program.
A LIFE program is designed for students with certain intellectual disabilities who desire a postsecondary school experience.
According to Clemson’s Official Website, ClemsonLIFE’s mission statement is to provide a coordinated course of study that includes career exploration and preparation. The program will also study self-awareness, discovery and personal improvements.
Rion exclaims in the video, “They said YES?!,” and when asked what his answer was he just smiled broadly and said, “yes!”
LIFE programs are literally changing lives daily by giving these young people an opportunity to further their education. Rion’s reaction has shown that to nearly 400,000 people.