Photos by Ralph Freso
Maggie Noren wore a white dress, and her hair was nicely curled. It was a big day, and she had specific instructions for her mother, “Wear something flowery. And bring Nana.”
Mom and grandma followed her recently into Grand Canyon University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences Building, where party planner Maggie had work to do for the semester-ending party at the LOPES Academy at the Cardon Center, a two-year program for neurodivergent adults.
Maggie completed the program in 2024 but keeps coming back to help new participants – and to plan the parties.
She was directing student workers and helpers to spread the green tablecloths for the luau, place the napkins and decorations she made, and reveal the table of cookies she baked, complete with little gummy fish swimming in blue icing.
Maggie produced the markers for the whiteboard. “I need a sunset!”
Mentors got busy drawing palm trees, waves and sun on the board.
Her mom, Suzy Noren, also was taking directions (in her flowery dress, of course).
“Just that empowerment of her,” Suzy said of what LOPES Academy has done for her daughter and continues to do as both an alum volunteer party planner and a part-time employee of GCE Media.
“She has just blossomed. Just the confidence…” she said, as her eyes welled with tears.
Last Halloween, Maggie began to plan parties for the group, this semester with 12 participants and 12 mentor students from the traditional population. She kept doing it for special events after that, including a Disney party that was a smash hit among participants.
“I like event planning and being a part of Lopes Academy, even though I’ve graduated,” Maggie said. “The Lopes Academy helped me find my job where I am today, and I wanted to share a part of it with everyone.
“I like seeing them have fun.”
She even plans the entertainment and music, putting together a trivia package with graphics and songs to guess from four decades of popular TV shows.
The participants and mentors sang along and guessed the shows’ song, from “Victorious” to “My Babsitter’s a Vampire,” all the way back to “Friends” and her personal favorite show these days – “The O.C.”
Her mom has noticed that the flat voice, lack of eye contact and unsmiling expressions common among some on the autism spectrum have decreased the more she has been involved with the academy and work. “She’s had to work at it.”
She very graciously can direct a group.
“I also made some cookies, and they are gluten-free, so if anyone has allergies, they can enjoy those,” Maggie said.
Maggie also has helped new participants feel comfortable in the program, and they see “those people went through the same thing I went through,” said LOPES Academy Program Manager Courtney Patton.
Of the 32 who have completed the Lopes Academy program since its 2021 launch, seven have jobs at GCU/GCE, and many others maintain jobs outside the university. It’s part of the training they receive that “post program they are ready for competitive employment,” Patton said.
Or they are ready to blossom in other ways.
Lopes Academy learner Oakley Weesner was impressed by what Maggie put together for the group. “I love her creativity,” she said.
While living with her mother just 10 minutes from campus, Maggie takes it upon herself to shoot off an email when a party is needed. She does it at home, too.
“She planned the party for my birthday,” said Suzy Noren.
“And our family reunion,” added grandma, Judy Farmer, who also calls her for IT help when technology gives her fits.
“She is an unsung hero,” Suzy said. “She pays for decorations herself. She doesn’t ask me, she just does it.”
Like any successful party planner, Maggie sat back and watched as everyone had fun playing games she brought, wearing their Hawaiian shirts, straw hats and leis, while listening to the beach music soundtrack she put together.
“I just like making everything really special for people,” she told her mom.
Grand Canyon University senior writer Mike Kilen can be reached at [email protected]
