Joshua Wilcox, Morgan Osgood, Dominick Baglio and Matthew McCauley celebrate with their teacher Beth St. Clair-Bedell. View more photos.
Family, friends and community partners gathered at Ichabod Crane High School on June 19 for Questar III’s Achieving Individual Milestones (AIM) Program Commencement and Service Learning Awards Ceremony.
Diplomas were presented to graduating students Dominick Baglio (Greenville), Matthew McCauley (Lansingburgh), Morgan Osgood (Lansingburgh) and Joshua Wilcox (Troy). Each of the students spent five years in Beth St. Clair-Bedell’s class, making it an emotional event for students, staff and parents alike.
McCauley and Baglio both shared prepared remarks. Each of them thanked their family and friends and highlighted the many hands-on activities and events they shared together as a class over the past five years.
“I love our high school. After I graduate I want to work for Meals on Wheels and bring food to people who need help. I will miss my friends and all of my teachers,” McCauley said.
“After I graduate I will get a job. I am happy and proud. I love my mom, dad and sister!” said Baglio.
Teacher Beth St. Clair-Bedell, who served as the master of ceremonies, shared how she uses the community as part of her classroom in an effort to prepare students for the realities facing them after high school. This ranges from projects within the Ichabod Crane community, such as the prom and primary school’s Back Pack program, to service learning activities supporting outside organizations.
A number of speakers – including Questar III Director of Special Education Robin Sobol, Questar III Principal Karla McDowell, Transition Coordinator Sally Lauletta, Ichabod Crane High School Principal Craig Shull and Vice President Dan Farley – also praised students for their growth and accomplishments over the past year.
The awards program recognized students for supporting Ichabod Crane Primary School’s Back Pack program, making holiday cards for Barnwell Nursing Home and helping the Sand Lake Community Library coordinate bulk mailing projects. Each student received a certification of recognition from Sandra Funk, director of the Back Pack program, and Bridget Delcoure, activity director at the Barnell Nursing Home.
The annual awards ceremony ended just as it started – with a choreographed sing-along with students and attendees alike, followed by a reception in the classroom. This was something that did not go unnoticed by speakers, who called it one of the best graduation and awards ceremonies they ever experienced.
Questar III’s AIM program combines functional curriculum with community experiences, enabling students with multiple disabilities to learn adaptive living skills. To learn more about the program, please visit https://old.questar.org/education/special-ed/classroom-programs/aim.php.
