Blake Walker, 18, got a chance of a lifetime: He auditioned for ”American Idol.”

Walker, a special education student at Bend High School, auditioned for the reality TV show in August in San Francisco, but he didn’t make the cut.

Chuck Chackel, of Combined Communications Inc., paid for Walker’s trip to the Bay Area. Combined Communications is one of the sponsors for the Life Skills program at Bend High.

Walker and other Life Skills students were able to give thanks and show their appreciation to those who have helped them with employment and learning opportunities at a luncheon at Bend High on Thursday afternoon.

”I wouldn’t have been able to have the chance to audition without the support I received,” Walker said in a speech at the luncheon. ”I learned how to be more confident and passionate in what I do. It changed my life forever.”

The program, using the personal motto ”Workers are Winners,” teaches students job and life skills, preparing them to become more independent in their daily lives.

The 20 students and their teacher, Robert Tadjiki, recognized local businesses who employed them and donated money to the program through awards and speeches.

Jon Goddard, 20, a former student of the program, was the event’s keynote speaker. He said being in the program taught him job skills that have helped him become a good employee. Goddard has worked as an usher at Regal Cinema at The Old Mill Stadium for four years.

His mother, Marilyn Rowland, also said thanks at the luncheon.

”I want to say thank you to all the sponsors for whatever participation level they had in this program,” she said. ”I’m very thankful to (Tadjiki) and the staff. You can’t do enough as a parent to say thank you for this program.”

She said the program tries to find the interests and strengths of each student and use them as teaching tools. For instance, Goddard loves sports and she said the staff helped Goddard move from a third-grade reading level to a seventh-grade reading level in three years by letting him read sports magazines and the sports sections in newspapers.

Goddard said he likes to stay active. Aside from his job, he is a greeter at his church. He said he likes to use the computer and he plans to register in computer classes in Central Oregon Community College next fall.

Student mentors were also recognized at the luncheon. Seniors Jessica Johnson, 18, and Felicia Simpson, 18, were given honorary awards.

Johnson and Simpson work with the students, helping them with homework and giving them advice on personal issues.

Simpson said her mother influenced her to become a mentor. She said the students work really hard and she has learned a lot from them.

”They’re telling us how the mentors help them without realizing how much they help us,” she said as she accepted her award. ”They have helped us become better people.”

Johnson said she learned from working with the students as well.

”I’ve learned how to be more patient,” she said, ”and not to take for granted things that I can do.”

Walker said being in the program has taught him to write and read most newspapers and books. He said he also learned how to become a stronger person.

He said he plans on taking classes at COCC in business and music. Even after being turned down by ”American Idol,” Walker said he still wants to become a singer.

”After American Idol, I learned how to take criticism and learn from it,” he said. ”It didn’t stop me from pursuing my dream.”