Sixteen students were presented certificates of completion during graduation ceremonies Thursday morning at the Utah State Training School.
Richard Mecham, director of special education for the Alpine School District, spoke to the students, encouraging each to strive to reach his highest potential and to accomplish as much as possible no matter how hard the task.Graduate Jeff Beers sang "American the Beautiful" during the ceremony. Chuck Hammer performed "Chopsticks" on bells.
Michelle Manookin, a teacher at the school, did sign language to the song "The Wind Beneath My Wings." Alpine District Superintendent Steven C. Baugh handed out diplomas to the graduates. Scott Bean, interim state superintendent of public instruction, also participated in the ceremony.
"It means just as much as a diploma to them and to their parents," Principal Carol Bittner said. "A lot of the students haven't ever had a ceremony just for them. They haven't had a lot of highlights in their lives."
Graduates from the training school complete special education classes in grades kindergarten through 12th. Most of the students have mental ages that range from 6 months to 11/2 years, although a few have mental ages of 8 or 9 years old. Classes in the upper grades include computer skills, pre-vocational training, physical education and community living skills.
Training school residents attend classes until they reach the age of 22. After graduation, the residents are given jobs in assembly or woodworking workshops at the school. Residents receive salaries and participate in a variety of recreational and social programs as adults.
"Anything we can teach those children to do for themselves, someone else will not have to do for them," Bittner said. "Our goal is for them to learn to live as independently as they can."