Donned in their caps and gowns, Jonathan Barager, Zachariah
Braley, Melissa McBride, and Jacob Shrock represented the Clare-Gladwin Area
School’s class of 2013 during the school’s graduation ceremony earlier this
month. With the, “Pomp and Circumstance,” melody playing in the background, the
graduates entered the Area School gym where they were met by their classmates,
teachers, family, and friends to celebrate the milestone.
Following the processional, the audience enjoyed singing and
dancing performances by each Area School class to tunes including The Beatles’,
“All We Need is Love,” Dierks Bentley’s, “Home,” and more.
Between performances, Clare-Gladwin Area School Principal
Mike Simon shared school-year highlights such as the students’ fundraising
efforts for community organizations, and the 62 students who were recognized
throughout the year for their outstanding work habits, good behavior, and
positive attitudes. He also expressed his gratitude to the local businesses
that have partnered with the school to help students gain work experience.
“The graduation program is a wonderful showcase of the hard
work and success of the Area School’s students and staff,” said Simon. “I’m
very proud of their efforts toward making this year’s program the best it could
be and I’m moved by the number of people who attended the program to support
and encourage our school.”
At the conclusion of the program, Simon and Clare-Gladwin
RESD Superintendent Sheryl Presler presented Certificates of Completion to the
2013 graduates. Keeping with tradition, Simon read words of reflection written
by each student and their parents.
“The job everyone has done in caring and helping Zachariah
is certainly commendable and we want to thank everyone involved in making our
experience a most positive one,” said Braley’s father, Rob. “Respect, love, and
great care should be afforded to each and every one of us, no matter what our
abilities or disabilities are and we are proud to state that all personnel at
the RESD greatly exceeded our expectations.”
Barager’s mother, Laurie, wrote a speech on his behalf and
explained how for all the years Barager has attended the Area School, many
changes have taken place, including staff, students, and bus drivers. “But with
all the changes,” she continued, “the important things have stayed the same;
the dedication, care, compassion, and respect of all those responsible to
provide a safe, healthy, and happy learning environment for all of the
students. My time here has been wonderful. I will miss you all and I thank you
all.”
For more information on the Clare-Gladwin Area School and
the Clare-Gladwin RESD, please visit
www.cgresd.net.
