STOCKON – Tethered balloons hovered over uncut celebratory cake in a large conference room at the San Joaquin County Office of Education as the Class of 2015 lined up outside, dressed in bright blue caps and gowns that matched the decorations inside.
“That’s my baby girl,” said Pat Bearden from Manteca, as she waited for the music to start and her daughter Katey Clark to enter the room with the procession. “I’m proud of my daughter. She’s achieved a tremendous amount. She has learned so much.”
Clark, 21, was one of about 20 graduates at the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) Special Education Programs ceremony. It included students from Tracy Unified School District as well as students from SJCOE special education programs.
Graduation marked the start of the next stage in the students’ lives, but it also meant the end of participation in special education programs that had been, for some students, a part of their lives since they were preschool aged. At 22, students reach the maximum age to receive public education. They graduate.
Along the way, the teachers got to know their students well. They spoke about the students at the ceremony, recognizing the challenges, growth and triumphs they had witnessed over the years.
The crowd of family members and supporters would sometimes break into applause or laughter as teachers told stories about each student. It was followed by slideshows that showed pictures of students, from their infancy to the present day.
Then the procession music played once again, and the Class of 2015 marched out to share the moment with family, teachers and others over slices of cake.
To view a photo album of the graduation ceremony, please go to the San Joaquin County Office of Education Facebook page by clicking here.