The Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) is celebrating the success of more than three dozen students who are graduating from its educational programs this school year.
Donning blue caps and gowns, the graduating students joyously took center stage on June 4 during a salute to their many accomplishments. The Bucks IU hosted the celebration in the auditorium of the Life Sciences Building at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown.
Hundreds of family members and friends, Bucks IU staff members and representatives of the school districts served by the Intermediate Unit watched with delight as the graduates smiled, waved, and gave thumbs up to those in the audience.
“We are here to honor your hard work and dedication,” Bucks IU executive director, Dr. Mark Hoffman, told the graduating students. “We are very proud of you.”
The Bucks IU, based in Doylestown, offers educational programs to students with autism, emotional needs, and multiple disabilities at various sites throughout Bucks County. The students live in Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.
Some of the 2024 graduates have been served by the agency since they were very young.
Others joined the Bucks IU community in the last few years to attend programs for students aged 18 to 21. The initiatives for older students focus on community-based instruction, volunteer opportunities and supervised work experiences.
Mary Baltes, a graduating student from Central Bucks School District and the Bucks IU College Connections program, served as the celebration’s keynote speaker. She acknowledged there will be challenges for every one of the graduates and implored all of them to stay strong.
“My goal for the Class of 2024 is to never give up and push through any challenges in your life,” Mary said.
The graduates’ life journeys will follow many different paths.
Bucks IU Skills Trainer David Fox shared what lies ahead for the students as Hoffman and John D’Angelo, president of the Bucks IU Board of School Directors, presented the graduates with their diplomas.
Some will enroll in area adult day programs or continue their education, Fox said. Others will enter the work force.
Bucks IU graduate Stanaya Blackwell plans to both work and attend college, Fox said.
Stanaya, a student in the Bucks IU Decisions program, recently completed an internship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Career Path Internship Program.
“She had the distinction of being the first intern accepted to the child life department,” Fox said. She plans to continue to work in the CHOP child life department and take classes at the Community College of Philadelphia.
“Stanaya, you are going to do big things,” Fox said.
In all, 39 students are graduating from Bucks IU programs this school year.
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