Owensboro High School senior Carlitos Ramirez is proving that determination and attention to detail can go a long way — especially in the workplace. Ramirez, who is blind, recently landed a job at PeezO’s Pizza, where he’s responsible for folding the boxes that carry the restaurant’s signature pies all over town.
“It’s a good part-time job, and it could also be a full-time job,” Ramirez said. “I enjoy folding the boxes.”
Ramirez is part of the Community Work Transition Program, which helps students with disabilities gain real-world employment experience. Zach Heil, an employment specialist with the program, said Ramirez’s strong work ethic and passion for food made him a perfect fit for PeezO’s.
“We know that he likes culinary and wants to work in food, specifically pizza,” Heil said. “He was in a class where they did some origami, and his teachers thought, ‘Well, if he’s doing origami, let’s see if he can fold pizza boxes.’”
Ramirez has proven to be a quick learner, and his keen sense of touch helps him spot defective boxes before they’re even put together.
“He can feel it,” Heil said. “We had some boxes with defects, and he knew something was wrong just by touching them. He didn’t know exactly what was wrong, but he knew something was off — and sure enough, when we tried to put them together, they fell apart.”
PeezO’s owner Larry Owen said Ramirez has quickly become an important part of the team.
“Carlitos is an inspiration,” Owen said. “He’s got a great attitude, and he works hard every time he’s here. He really inspires me and everyone else at PeezO’s.”
Ramirez, who currently works once a week as part of a co-op, said he enjoys the job and hopes it will lead to future opportunities in the food industry. While he’s mainly responsible for folding boxes, he has also gotten to enjoy some of PeezO’s offerings.
“My favorite is the cheese pizza,” he said.
Owen said beyond being a dedicated employee, Ramirez brings a positive energy to the restaurant.
“He’s a great employee and a great person,” Owen said. “It’s incredible to watch how determined he is, and we’re lucky to have him here.”
Natalie Ellis, a transition specialist at Owensboro High School, said programs like this one are designed to ensure students are set up for success beyond graduation.
“Our senior classes are focused on making sure that these kids either have a job or are enrolled in college by the time they walk out the door,” Ellis said.
For Ramirez, folding boxes is just the beginning. He hopes to continue working in the food industry after graduation, with aspirations of one day working in culinary arts.
For now, he takes pride in knowing that several PeezO’s pizza boxes have passed through his hands. He said the process is a bit like origami.
“Not everybody can fold pizza boxes,” Ramirez said. “It’s harder than you think.”
