KSD grads a small but motivated class

By ROSS JOHNSON
jrj2110@columbia.edu

"Through struggles and frustrations, we never gave up," reads a poem written by the eight Kentucky School for the Deaf seniors. "We've shared a dream with cherished friends, our dream is to succeed."



Those seniors made a dream into reality as they walked across the stage yesterday in KSD's Thomas Hall and received their diplomas from Kevin Noland, Kentucky's interim Commissioner of Education.



But fulfilling the graduation requirements was not the only accomplishment of this small, yet motivated class.



Each student in the class received one or both of the Career Major or Career and Technical Education Certificates of Achievement, a first in KSD history. Students earned certificates in diverse areas, from agriculture to carpentry, from Web design to family and consumer sciences.



"These certificates represent not what these students will do in their lives, but what they can do," said Stuart Harper, a guidance counselor at KSD and the coordinator of the certificate program. "These students have proven they can make a plan and follow through. ... This is a major achievement."



Kim Yarnell, the class salutatorian, is only one of the students whose story reflects that ability. Yarnell, a mother of two, dropped out of school for three years after her freshman year but returned to KSD determined to finish her education.



Push to succeed



Yarnell thanked her husband, Garry Yarnell, in her salutatory speech, and also pushed those around her to succeed.



"He always encouraged me, and although we have two sons, he always said 'never give up.' He had confidence that we could find a way for him to work while I go to school. He always motivates me because he knows that I want to achieve my dreams," Yarnell said. "I want to encourage every one of you to never give up on your goals."



Valedictorian Lydia Spainhoward had goals of her own - becoming valedictorian as her mother did at KSD 30 years prior. Spainhoward also offered advice to her audience.



"My advice to everybody is: Be true to yourself. Become the person you want to be, not what someone else wants you to be. Every person is special, and we are all different from each other. God created us this way, to be his art," said Spainhoward.



Paul Kulick, a former KSD employee and athletic director at the Alabama School for the Deaf, shared his excitement with the graduates and asked them to reflect on the reality of the graduation in his commencement address.



"Now, as you think about the future, don't forget what dreams you have, what opportunities. Remember as you go out into the real world, you may think you are alone, but you are not. You have your parents, the teachers, and the staff of KSD."Copyright:The Advocate-Messenger 2007