"Their success could not be measured in grade point averages or class rankings but in everyday tasks mastered over time with perseverance," said Ellen Lane, spokesperson for BOCES, in a news release. "Their success could also be seen in the lasting impressions they made not only on the Pines Bridge staff, many of whom were present, but on the larger community."
The Pines Bridge program is part of the Special Education Department at BOCES and serves students between the ages of 5 and 21 who have multiple disabilities, according to BOCES. All 16 of the graduates from around Westchester and Putnam received praise during the graduation ceremony, officials said in a news release.
"(Rye Neck's) Ashlyn Barnes said she enjoyed working at Sears and would miss her friends. (Carmel's) Christian Pavon said he loved acting in plays and was looking forward to going to PARC," Lane said in the release. "(Peekskill's) Melissa Crosland was noted for her infectious laugh, and Maria Shankey thanked her brothers for all their love."
The graduates were: Justin Acosta, Hendrick Hudson; Ashlyn Barnes, Rye Neck; Melissa Crosland, Peekskill; Claudia Dash, Rye City; Christina DiMaggio, Yorktown Heights; Adolphus Gil, Yonkers; Elyse Hughes, Putnam Valley; Christopher Kavanaugh, Peekskill; Sydney Kerrigan, Katonah-Lewisboro; Emma Murphy, Yorktown Heights; Grant McCollum, Beacon; Zachary Muzyk, Pleasantville; Christian Pavon, Carmel; Cheryl Remling, Yorktown Heights; and Francesco Vecchio, Peekskill.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Yorktown and receive free news updates.