CSIU's Work Foundations+ holds commencement
As featured in The Standard-Journal
By Heather Taggart
SUNBURY – The Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit’s Work Foundations+ (WF+) program graduated 23 students on Thursday, May 25. The ceremony was held at the WF+ facility in Sunbury.
The ceremony began with a welcoming address and words of encouragement from Dr. Alan Hack, CSIU chief academic officer, as students enter the workforce or continue their education after graduation.
The program also included a procession of the 23 Class of 2023 graduates; pre-recorded student messages to family, friends, and faculty, musical performances, student keynote speakers; awarding of program certificates; and remarks from WF+ Special Education and Off-Site Facilities Support Program Supervisor, Jessica Harry.
In student keynote speaker Noelle Zechman’s inspirational message to fellow graduates, she spoke of her challenges in getting to this point and noted that it wasn’t easy.
“Life is hard, but don’t let it stop you. I didn’t,” she said. “I am standing here a graduate of high school. I will continue to fight no matter the odds and I encourage you to do the same. Remember, odds are odds. They do not predict your future. You are in control of your future.”
The 23 graduating students were from the Danville, Line Mountain, Millville, Mount Carmel, Shamokin, and Shikellamy school districts.
Work Foundations+ is a secondary special education program focused on providing comprehensive academic instruction and real-life career exploration, experiences, and training to students with disabilities to best prepare them for successful post-secondary training and education, employment, and independent living.
For more information, visit https://www.csiu.org/wfplus or call 570-286-4168 ext. 2833.
