Student Spotlight: Asher Galan

Writer / Matt Keating
Photography Provided

Asher Galan, an eighth-grader at Westfield Middle School, was recently recognized by Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness for his work with students with special needs.

Galan’s father, Alan, says Asher enjoys helping other people.

“In seventh grade, Asher signed up for an elective called Peer Facilitation, which he thought was an office job,” Alan says. “To his surprise, he walked into a special-ed classroom full of students. Most of these kids he had only seen a few times in the hall, so he was a little nervous at first.”

Alan says Asher learned quickly that the students were very accepting and kind.

“They didn’t care what skin color you had or what religion you belonged to,” Alan says. “They didn’t even care what you wore. They were just happy that you were there spending time with them. From then on, he was motivated to help them to the best of his ability, and he loved every minute of it.”

Alan says Asher was lucky enough to participate in the program for two years.

“In addition, Asher was asked to join the Joseph Maley puppet troupe in eighth grade,” Alan says. “As part of the puppet troupe, he went to different elementary schools and used the puppets to teach kids about disabilities.”

Teachers and parents took note of how well Asher worked with the special-ed students.

“One of the moms of the students in the special-ed classroom was having a conference with their child’s teacher and asked about Asher, since her daughter talked about him all the time,” Alan says. “She happened to be the chairperson of the Westfield Mayor’s Council on Disabilities. She asked the teacher to give Asher her number so that she could find out more about him. She was struck by the simplicity of his kindness to others, so she recommended him to be recognized by the Westfield mayor at the City Council meeting on March 13.”

Asher, who will be a freshman at Westfield High School in the fall, has a great perspective on getting recognized.

“I didn’t know that such a simple decision would have such a big outcome for me, especially being recognized by the mayor,” Asher says. “It gave me a real boost of confidence that people really believe in what I do. I also met some really nice people that are working to make the lives of people with disabilities better.”

Asher, a Student of the Month award recipient, says he enjoys school.

“I love Peer Facilitation and algebra,” he says. “I’m pretty sure that I’m going pursue the path of special education, but for my first year in high school there are no special-education classes offered, so I’m going to start with computer science. In my sophomore year I hope to do Peer Facilitation again. In the meantime, I am going to join Unified Track and Best Buddies.”

When he isn’t in school, Asher keeps busy with different hobbies.

“My hobbies are gaming, baseball, animals and, of course, working with special-ed students,” Asher says. “I also foster animals, mostly cats, but I have helped puppies and a rabbit.”

Asher credits his family for always being there for him. He has an older sister who also attends Westfield High School, and two younger siblings at Westfield Intermediate School.

“The people that helped me the most are my mom and dad,” he says. “They help me make connections and pursue important stuff in life.”