Joey Jurries’ favorite high school memories have a common theme:  “Football band, pep band, hockey band.” Playing the snare drum in the band for sporting events has been the hands-down favorite for this high school senior, who has played the drums for seven years.

In fact, drumming led to a memory Joey will never forget! In 2019,  he won artist Josh Wilson’s “Dream Small” contest. He flew to Nashville and got to spend time with the artist in his studio (pictured above). His favorite memory from the trip? “Going with Aunt Kim. Drumming in his studio.”

But while drumming has been a favorite part of high school, when Sam asked Joey about his goals for the future, he said, “Swim and work.”

Joey’s been a full-fledged member of the Lakeland Union High School varsity swim team all four years and served as co-captain of his team this year! Before each meet, the co-captions take turns pumping the team up, and Joey always told them, “Swim fast!”

Among Joey’s favorite things about swim team: “Boys team. Max. Coaches.” He started swimming at just three years old, swam for the first time for Special Olympics at eight, and can’t remember a time when he didn’t love the water.

Since Sam and Joey talked via FaceTime, Joey not only told Sam about his prized possession, he took him to see the giant-cookie-sized gold medal Joey won in 2018 as Junior Division World Campion in backstroke at the World Down syndrome Swim Championships. And in fact, this year, Joey is one of a very few swimmers with Down syndrome who achieved Paralympic motivational times in order to compete at the Wisconsin state championship meet. He and his friend, Luke Drumright like to call their sprints, “Flash Fast,” as both love swimming and the TV series, The Flash.

Among Joey’s goals? “World champion again. Flag.” The World Champion gets to carry the flag, something Joey hopes to do again. He plans to continue swimming for the USA Down Syndrome club team.

 Joey also plans to work, and in fact, his favorite part of school right now is his Wings Program, through which he’s worked several jobs—at Ace Hardware, AV-W Grade School, Wild Berry Market, Save More Foods, and his favorite is Murtaugh’s, a local bar and grill owned by the parents of fellow swimmers.

Though diagnosed with apraxia, Joey is a very social young man and loves hanging out with his peers.  After sophomore year,  Joey made the jump from an inclusive High School program to the Wings program, which allows him the educational opportunity to work on his life and work skills and spend part of his day in an inclusive classroom, and the other half gaining work experience in the local community.

 Already very independent, Joey enjoys biking to work, coming home afterward to fix his lunch and watching a movie on his own.

 Read more of Sam’s interview with Joey, who Sam hopes to hang out with soon.

 What’s been the worst thing about the pandemic for you? “T-birds meet trip cancelled.”

 What are you looking forward after the pandemic is over? “Working at JJ’s acres (a family-owned greenhouse). Church. Green grass.”

 What other activities are you involved in? “Hockey, basketball, lifting weights, playing racquetball, biking.”

 What do you like to do in your free time? “I like biking around. Watch Flash—episode seven coming out. Iris is coming back.”

 What do you like to do with your friends? “The girls. Katie, Nora, and Brooke. Play bags, ping pong, play hoops, Minecraft, race game.”

 What’s one of your favorite memories? “Go see Aunt Jen in Milwaukee. Wings program. Mini golfing.”

 We can’t wait to meet in person and hear what’s next for you after graduation, Joey!