The Glenholme School Graduates Its Class of 2015
Washington, CT (PRWEB) June 30, 2015 -- The Glenholme School graduated seventeen exceptional students on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 amidst bright skies and inspirational words.
The independent, coeducational, special needs boarding school began its eleventh commencement exercises with the cherished processional walk from the Glenholme building to the school’s Center for the Arts. Along the way, the soon-to-be-graduates paused to observe the recently placed commemorative bricks — one of them prominently noting “The Class of 2015” along with seventeen others, each adorned with one of their names. A sense of fulfillment and excitement filled the air as the students conclude their final walk together as classmates.
Glenholme Executive Director Maryann Campbell opened the commencement exercises with a welcome address, throughout which she celebrated each graduating student for his or her personal excellences, positive contributions to the school community, and future motivations. Before parting, she asked the students to reflect on all who supported them in making this moment possible and together they stood and applauded their families, friends and faculty.
Following the opening remarks, 2015 Glenholme Student Council President offered his congratulations and his thanks, “All the seniors on this stage came to Glenholme with many different challenges and with the support of Glenholme have grown into mature young adults who will be moving on to a new stage in their lives. We couldn’t have done it without each other, the amazing staff who work here and our parent’s support and dedication to this wonderful school.”
After the well wishes by the class president, Principal Sharon Murphy along with numerous teaching faculty members presented academic honors, awards, and special recognitions to the graduating class members. They were joined by two Student Council representatives who honored one student with the Susan Clarke Memorial Scholarship. Then Assistant Executive Director Judy Cooper, who was joined by Sarah Gager of the Judea Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), delivered a moving speech which honored Sierra with the 2015 DAR Citizenship Award for her exceptional character, dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism.
Following the honors, Sharon Murphy and Judy Cooper carried out the time-honored awarding of the diplomas. One by one, each member of the Class of 2015 received his or her moment in the spotlight.
Musical performances by students were also woven into the event. A soloist opened the occasion with “My Country ‘tis of Thee,” the Senior Ensemble sang “Your Song” by Elton John and a duet delivered a captivating “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen. Applause and cheers resonated throughout the theater.
Concluding the ceremony, Glenholme Director of External Affairs Julie Smallwood shared some inspiring thoughts. She noted, “Commencement is not an end; rather it is a beginning, one that marks the next important phase of your lives. It is our hope that you will apply the values and lessons learned at Glenholme to your future as alumni. May you look back at your time here at Glenholme fondly, and we wish you lives filled with much happiness and success.”
The Class of 2015 then proceeded out of The Center for the Arts and gathered for the commemorative cap toss and joined in the joyous festivities where they said their farewells to each other, the faculty and staff members, and the community they called their home.
The Glenholme Class of 2016 earned numerous acceptances to universities and colleges across the nation including:
Dean College, MA
Coastal Carolina University, SC
Mansfield Hall, VT
Meredith College, NC
Curry College, MA
Iona College, NY
California State University San Marcos, CA
Thames Academy, CT
SUNY Cobleskill, NY
Hofstra University, NY
Ithaca College, NY
Western Connecticut State University, CT
Guilford College, NC
Greensborough College, NC
Becker College, MA
SUNY Delhi, NY
California State University Channel Islands, CA
Whittier College, CA
Chapman University, CA
Worcester State University, MA
Lasell College, MA
Eastern Connecticut State University, CT
About The Glenholme School:
The Glenholme School, a center of the Devereux organization, is a non-profit 501(c)3, independent, coeducational, special needs boarding school for young people with high functioning autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, OCD, Tourette's, depression, anxiety, and various learning differences. The program provides a treatment milieu designed to build competence socially and academically. Our learning environment supports and enhances the ability for young people with special needs to succeed. Devereux is a leading nonprofit behavioral health organization that supports many of the most underserved and vulnerable members of our communities. For more information about The Glenholme School and its program, visit http://www.theglenholmeschool.org/.
Denise Watson, The Glenholme School — Devereux Connecticut, http://theglenholmeschool.org/home/, +1 (860) 868-7377 Ext: 213, [email protected]
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