Willie Ross School Holds 24th Commencement

June 6, 2011 - The Willie Ross School for the Deaf will hold its 24th commencement on June 10th at 7 p.m. The exercises will take place at the Foster & Constance Gleason Furcolo Student Center on the Longmeadow Campus of the Willie Ross School for the Deaf.
 
Louis Abbate, Ed. D., President and CEO of the school said, “We are pleased with the accomplishments of our graduating senior class who come from all over Western Massachusetts. Willie Ross School for the Deaf strives to provide an environment of academic excellence and these five graduates are well prepared to be contributing members of our community.”

Five students will be graduating on the day of the commencement. Among those students is Raisa Alvarado from Springfield, who began attending Willie Ross in 2002 and is leaving with a certificate of completion having participated in the school-to-career programs offered at Willie Ross. Her plans are to enter the workforce upon graduating.
 
Also graduating is Trevor Bynum of Springfield, who was admitted to the Willie Ross School in 1995. He was an honor roll student and star player of the basketball team, and also worked during the summer at the Easter Seals camp. Trevor will be receiving a state diploma from Willie Ross, and has already been accepted to both the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and Gallaudet University in the fall to pursue a career in electrical engineering.

Jose Gonzalez, of Springfield has attended WRSD since 1996, and will also be receiving a state diploma. While at Willie Ross he was a basketball player and participated in the work-study program. Jose’s future plans will involve continuation of his employment at Evelyn’s Learning Center in Springfield.
 
Amanda Donovan of Springfield will also be leaving Willie Ross with a state diploma. She has attended Willie Ross since age 3, having left for a period of time at age 7 and readmitted at age 13. She has been accepted to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf in the fall and is also considering other colleges. Amanda was an honor roll student and during her time at WRSD participated in cheerleading for the basketball team.
 
Calvin Jenkins-Holley was admitted to Willie Ross in 1995. A resident of Springfield, Calvin was an honor roll student and will receive a state diploma. His plans are to attend the National Technical Institute for the Deaf in the fall. His time at Willie Ross involved being on the basketball team and working at the summer camp for Easter Seals.
 
The Willie Ross School for the Deaf provides a comprehensive educational program stressing academic excellence that focuses on the development of students’ intellectual, social, and emotional growth from the early childhood level through high school. Willie Ross serves students at its main campus in Longmeadow and at its partnership campus located in the East Longmeadow Schools. Mainstreaming opportunities are provided at the partnership campus.