Brendon’s graduation

Munson Library, South Amherst*********** Summit Academy is a Massachusetts approved special education day school in the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District. It is a small, intimate high school held in a highly supportive and therapeutic setting. It has been Brendon's high school these past four years. Very few communities in the U.S., or in the world, for that matter, offer this kind of educational alternative as a part of the public system, i.e., free. Brendon graduated from Summit Academy yesterday. The event was held at the Munson Library in South Amherst, a perfect setting, I would say: just the right-sized hall, good acoustics, convenient parking, and ideal facilities for the reception following. Brendon was one of four graduates: that is how small the school is. He gave a short speech and also sang a solo, "My Way," which was popularized by Frank Sinatra. It was an intimate, personal ceremony in which each graduate received a great deal of indidualized attention. There was a ceremony of "Acknowledgements," in which one by one the graduates received little speeches of appreciation, recognition and praise from anyone in the audience who wanted to speak: family, friends, fellow-students, faculty, staff, etc. Brendon had a fairly large group there for him. The one thing missing, which we found strange: no diplomas were given out. There was a tassel-shifting ritual, and the Supt. of Schools declared them graduates, but no diplomas. They have to be picked up by the student later. But overall, it was quite touching. Each graduate clearly had overcome significant disabilities, even traumas, along the way. Brendon said it was "the high-point of his life," thus far. We went to the reception but didn't stay long. We had one back at the house later. Ellen had prepared cole slaw, potato salad, devilled eggs, and several kinds of baked goods; Katie had prepared sausage and burgers (meat and veggie) cookout. Savanna was taken by Dusty and Dorothy to an MRI during the ceremony, but was home and recovering from that ordeal when we got back. She was able to be there and visit with people. All-in-all, a very nice occasion!