2024 Peter John Loux Award Winner: Tavrick Lawless

2024 Peter John Loux Award Winner: Tavrick Lawless

Regardless of the room he is in, Tavrick is a familiar face because of his advocacy, service, and leadership in his community.

Tavrick is a Northeast Magnet High School graduate and participated in the professional development program Project Search through Chisolm Life Skills Center. He has interned at a variety of local organizations and businesses including Ascension Via Christi St. Francis, Exploration Place, Mark Arts, Cowtown, the Sedgwick County Election Office, WSU International Student Union, and the former Bullwinkle’s Tattoo Parlor. He has volunteered at the Down Syndrome Society of Wichita, Great Plains Nature Center, Families Together,

His leadership extends far beyond his volunteer efforts. Tavrick has served on a range of important councils at the county, state, and national level, including chairperson of the Sedgwick County Developmental Disability Organization Community Council, lived experience council member at Oral Health Kansas, and member of the National Down Syndrome Society’s Self Advocacy Advisory Board. He has also served as Health Messenger Event Coordinator, Health Leader, and Health Messenger for Special Olympics Kansas. His advocacy work at the Kansas State House has made him a seasoned voice for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He has done a fantastic job connecting with legislators and legislative staff to talk about the work of the Sedgwick County Developmental Disability Organization (CDDO).

“Tavrick has an effective way of representing the viewpoint of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities in our discussions.”
—Jeannette Livingston, Deputy Director of the Sedgwick CDDO

Tavrick’s vocational record includes Assistant to the Manager at the former Abode Event Center, Kindness Representative for the Kindness Canteen Food Truck (a mobile food truck concept by the Down Syndrome Society of Wichita), Adjunct Assistant for Wichita State University’s Department of Physical Therapy, and modeling work with the Gregory Agency.

His dedication to helping others has also involved participating in university research studies on brain function (MIT), speech recognition (University of Illinois), and twin research (WSU). His involvement in these studies highlights his commitment to advancing knowledge and a deeper understanding of individuals with Down syndrome. In 2022, Tavrick also participated in CPRF’s GILA program, a six-week immersive experience for Kansans with disabilities to assess and develop their skills for independent living.

A friend and supporter of the arts, Tavrick has twice earned Volunteer of the Year from the Tallgrass Film Festival for his service as an Assistant Venue Manager. He has also won awards for his artwork, including the Kansas State Fair’s Best of Show and AbilityPoint’s Young Achiever Award.

Tavrick’s future goals include taking college classes and working in the entertainment industry. His vibrant personality and passion for advocacy are setting him up for a future full of promise and impact. This award is a well-deserved recognition for all he has accomplished so far. We can’t wait to see where his path takes him next!

Congrats, Tavrick!