On May 31, family members, friends, teachers and school staff cheered inside the crowded multipurpose room at Leo A. Palmiter Jr./Sr. High School as seven members of the 2017 graduating class proudly accepted their high school diplomas.
Principal Lauren Roth was assisted in presenting diplomas to the students by County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon, Deputy Superintendent Al Rogers, Assistant Superintendent Robin M. Pierson, Ed.D., and County Board of Education Trustees Heather Davis, Greg Geeting, and Jacquelyn Levy.
“While today might be a high point, do not let this be your highest point. Reach higher. Make your dreams happen because now is the time,” Superintendent Gordon told the graduates.
In addition to hard work inside the classroom, the 2017 Palmiter graduating class was also involved in community service projects which provided students with valuable life experiences. They participated in the Culinary Arts Program, the WorkAbility “school-to-world” program, a mock election, and helped take second place in the 2017 Academic Bowl competition. Family members, friends, mentors, school faculty, and staff applauded the graduates, then celebrated at a reception following the ceremony.
Leo A. Palmiter Jr./Sr. High School provides education to special needs students with the primary disability of Emotional Disturbance (ED) in grades 7–12. The students are referred directly by local school districts that are unable to provide the more highly structured behavioral support program available at Palmiter. Students are provided a standards-based educational program, which is supported by a strong vocational/transitional/school-to-world emphasis.