Two years ago, before STRIVE U, Christina Mailhot didn’t see much in her future.

Mailhot, who has Down syndrome, worked menial jobs with no hope of advancement. She lived at home with her mom, Irene, a single parent. She spent most of her free time holed up in her bedroom, making scrapbooks of rap stars. Alone. Bored.

But this week, between work and class, running errands and decorating her Portland apartment, Mailhot is giving TV and newspaper interviews. She autographs copies of this week’s People magazine – and its four-page spread dedicated to her life and growing independence. She chats about a future advocating for others with developmental disabilities or “hopefully doing movies,” she said, ducking her head with a sly grin. “Just kidding.”

Mailhot, 27, a Lewiston native, was one of the first graduates of STRIVE U, an intense, two-year program that teaches young developmentally disabled adults to lead independent and self-sufficient lives. Located at the University of Southern Maine, the program garnered some local attention when it started two years ago. Its first class of six graduated in August.

Since then, national media has taken notice. The Chronicle of Higher Education, National Public Radio and People Magazine have all done stories. Time magazine has one, as yet unpublished, STRIVE U officials said.

When the media comes calling, more often than not, Mailhot – eager, well spoken, unflinchingly honest about her fears and hopes – has been the one they turn to.

“It’s weird,” she said of the photo-filled article in People this week. “Looking at myself is strange.”

Mailhot was born and raised in Lewiston. Her mother credits early intervention for “setting her on the right road to learning.”

As a baby and toddler she got physical therapy, occupational therapy, special stimulation and attention. As a preschooler she attended a regular Head Start class. In elemen- tary school she was mainstreamed.

Learning was the fun. But, by middle school, socialization was not. Her classmates called her “retard,” left her out of activities.

“You don’t take a person with Down syndrome to a party, it’s as simple as that,” her mother said.

Mailhot, a member of the National Honor Society, graduated from Lewiston High School and began bagging groceries at a local supermarket. She later worked at Wal-Mart.

She didn’t have much to look forward to, until she learned about STRIVE U.

“We jumped at it in a heartbeat,” her mother said.

The program got 100 applications that first year. There were six slots.

Mailhot was one of the lucky ones.

For two years she worked, went to classes at USM and learned independent living skills, like budgeting and taking a bus. She lived with other STRIVE U students, independent, for the first time, from her family.

“At first I was scared,” she said. “I’m still scared. I miss my mom’s hugs.”

The intense program prepared her to live on her own. And in August she began doing just that. She rented her first apartment, a Portland studio she likes because it’s close to the bus stop and it’s also easy to clean. She once plastered her walls with posters of rap stars, but took those down in favor of beach scenes and a framed lighthouse print.

“I kind of want it to have grown-up taste to it,” she said.

Mailhot landed a part-time job at USM, doing data entry, filing and other tasks. She loves the job, saying it’s a lot better than bagging groceries or greeting people at a department store.

In her free time, Mailhot watches movies, listens to rap music, plays video games and spends time with her boyfriend, who was once part of STRIVE U. She recently started doing volunteer work. She talks to her mother on the phone every day and visits her every other weekend.

She craves activity.

“I love being busy. The more busy I am the better,” she said.

The media spotlight has helped her stay that busy. When People Magazine came out this week, people began asking for her autograph. Local news outlets asked to talk with her, and she conducted two interviews on Thursday alone.

She spent part of the day talking about the article (loved the photo of her basketball game, hated all the personal information that made it to print). She spent part of the day marveling over the response it got.

So far, STRIVE U has heard from people in 34 states. Some want to get their loved ones into the program. Others want to start a program of their own.

STRIVE U is now taking applications for the six slots it has open next year. Officials say they’ll have to start talking about expanding soon.

Mailhot doesn’t always like all the attention she’s gotten. It can be overwhelming, she said, tiring. It can make other people jealous.

But she loves the attention STRIVE U has gotten because of her and the other graduates. She hates to think where she’d be without the program.

“Probably living with my mom,” she said. “Probably in my room. Being bored to death.”

Christina Mailhot’s mother credits several things for her daughter’s success:

Early intervention in infancy.

Physical and occupational therapy, as well as special stimulation and attention.

Mainstreaming in school

Intense training in independent living

STRIVE U is an intense two-year program that teaches young adults with developmental disabilities how to live independently. Students work, take classes at USM and live in apartment buildings owned and managed by the program.

Applications are being accepted for next year’s session, which starts in July. For more information go to: www.pslstrive.org