Graduation coverage from the Ohio Coalition for Quality Education

By RON ADLER
Ohio Coalition for Quality Education president

Life Skills Center of Middletown presented diplomas to 21 energized high school students.

Since June 2000, Ohio Life Skills Centers has given a 'second chance' to over
6,000 students.

Each student had special challenges but community schools like Life Skills Centers are designed to work with this population of students.

A highly trained and dedicated staff that forms a close bond
with the students and parents helped these youth to pass the Ohio
Proficiency/Ohio Graduation Tests and earn a high school diploma.

Charles Hall, administrator of Life Skills Center of Middletown began the evening by encouraging parents and friends of students in the audience to, "get involved. Be happy on this occasion. Let these students know that you are proud of them. Make some noise."

He then introduced two former students, Whitnie Slone and Kristin Shafer.

Before enrolling in LSC, both had attended a traditional high school, were
impacted by a personal crisis.dropped out of schoo and thought their
future educational opportunities were nonexistent. Then they were
introduced to Life Skills Center of Middletown and Charles Hall, who stands 6 foot 6 inches tall, has a booming laugh and every day he inspires each student to reach their full potential.

Whitnie Slone attended Life Skills Center of Middletown by day and Sinclair Community College in the evening.

She earned a 3.5 GPA and her goal is to attend the University of Cincinnati Engineering College and eventually work towards a Masters degree.

Kristen Shafer also graduated from Life Skills Center of Middletown in 2003 and went on to graduate from Miami University of Ohio with a bachelor's degree.

State Senator Gary Cates delivered the Commencement Address.

Serving on both the Finance committee and Vice-Chair of the Senate Education Committee he has provided a consistently 'strong voice' on behalf of community schools.

Speaking without prepared notes, the Senator talked about "school
choice vs. school chance."

He told the graduating students that "life isn't always fair but it is usually what you make of it."

Challenging every student he said, "don't let anyone tell you that you can't reach your life goals. First, dream it, then work hard..and live it".

Each graduate was then asked to present a yellow rose to someone in the audience that "made a difference in their lives."

Parents, relatives and friends received roses but ... several emotional students presented their rose to Mr. Hall.

It was a wonderful evening filled with joy, happiness, emotion ... and lots of tears.