COEUR d'ALENE - A pair of creative, art-loving students toured Benchmark, Inc. on Monday, learning the tricks of the graphic design trade.

The job-shadow event was organized by the Idaho Department of Labor as part of National Disability Awareness Month. Guided by Benchmark employee Alexis Roizen, 17-year-old Robert Jay and 16-year-old Elizabeth Cuff discovered firsthand what technology, ingenuity and artistry can accomplish.

"I think it's pretty cool," said Cuff, a junior at Post Falls High School. "Makes me want to start right in on the job already, but I gotta finish high school."

Benchmark specializes in graphics, including signs, vehicle wraps and company brands.

Roizen, a graphic designer, showed the students how decals are manufactured, from selecting the computerized image to rolling out the finished product.

Jay and Cuff watched and learned.

"I always like being able to give the people a behind-the-scenes experience," said Roizen, 23, who studied at the University of Idaho before joining Benchmark. "I couldn't imagine having a better job. It's just so nice to be in such a creative environment."

The decals were personalized with an image representing each student: a skater for Jay and a dragon for Cuff.

"R.J. (Jay) was interested in skateboarding, and Elizabeth was interested in kind of medieval, fairy-tale things," Roizen said. "They got to see the whole process, from start to finish."

Cuff has been artistic since her kindergarten finger-painting days. She loves to draw dragons and other fantasy creatures.

"Every artist has their own detail, their own way of drawing," Cuff said.

She has Asperger syndrome, but it hasn't slowed her down - her plans include college, probably, and a career in graphic design.

As for Jay, he's more of a technical guy. The Lake City High School junior took a graphic arts class freshman year, a course that piqued his interest. He likes learning about computer applications and programs, particularly how they apply to design.

"I think it's important to show whoever has some interest in graphics that there are local companies producing things in Coeur d'Alene that are ending up all over the country," said Bret Bowers, a Benchmark sales executive. "And in this case, maybe even inspire some future artists."

IDL put together similar job-shadow events for disabled people across the state. The events provided "hands-on career exploration," said Bonnie Niles-Bush, an IDL disability program navigator.

Students like Jay and Cuff had a chance to experience their dream jobs, she said.

"(The events) have been recognized and greatly appreciated by parents and kids alike with disabilities, and it does continue to grow every year," Niles-Bush said. "It's an overlooked talent pool. People with disabilities are very much underemployed."

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"Slavery is but half abolished, emancipation is but half completed, while millions of free men with votes in their hands are left without education." - Robert Winthrop, Speaker of the House 1847-1849

Even for those lucky enough to have it, voting is admittedly a gamble. Few can know well the minds, intentions, and capabilities of candidates. Still, the odds of making a principled choice can improve with a little effort at education. Imperfect though they may be, newspapers, candidate debates and voting guides are available locally and nationally for each election, and are well worth the time.

"Anarchists know that a long period of education must precede any great fundamental change in society, hence they do not believe in vote begging, nor political campaigns, but rather in the development of self-thinking individuals." - Lucy Parsons, 19th century civil rights activist

Sholeh Patrick is a local attorney and columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Send e-mail to sholehjo@hotmail.com