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PAGE 6 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN June 22, 2023

CANTON - PLYMOUTH
CANTON - PLYMOUTH

District celebrates 2023 graduates

For more than 1,200 high or accelerate credits. That
school seniors at Plymouth- Starkweather flexibility is inspir-
Canton Community Schools, ing students to learn and thrive,
graduation will be a shining Lane said.
moment, the culmination of hard “I love the environment at
work and dedication for many. Starkweather - there is an
Among those proud graduates emphasis on hands-on learning
are 85 seniors at Starkweather and my teachers are great,” said
Academy, the alternative high Rachel Deradourian, who will
school in the district, whose attend Schoolcraft College in the
graduation on June 8 is proof fall.
they persevered and overcame “My favorite thing about
challenges, officials said. Starkweather is that our sched-
Kevin Lane has been the prin- ule allows me to better focus on
cipal at Starkweather for 17 three classes a day and the later
years and he says watching the start time is better for high
students participate in the grad- school students - and I love my
uation ceremony at the Salem teachers,” said Kamari Pearson,
High School auditorium was a who will study criminal justice at
deeply joyful moment. Adrian College starting in the
“The ceremony itself is very fall and play on the Bulldogs
personal, with each student hav- football team. Pearson wants to
ing a personally written message work in law enforcement.
read about their goals and expe- The academy prepares stu- Graduation ceremonies for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Starkweather Academy students took
riences and 'thank yous,'” Lane dents for life after Starkweather place June 8 and for Canton, Salem and Plymouth high schools on June 11.
said. “Each Starkweather stu- with a required senior seminar
dent has had significant barriers focusing on students' post-sec- “I love that my Starkweather essence of what it means to be a pare them for the future.”
to overcome - that is why they ondary options - a program that teachers and staff are always graduate of Plymouth-Canton Merritt concurred, saying:
are with us, and the joy of this helps provide a sense of laser- supportive and genuinely care Community Schools. Throughout “Graduates of Starkweather
accomplishment is so profoundly like direction for students. about me,” said Ashley Tanana, your time here, you have been Academy worked hard all year
emotional. We have had many Emily Bushey graduates with who will study for a degree in encouraged to think outside the and deserve credit for their
who are the first to graduate in almost a full semester of college diagnostic medicine sonography- box, challenge the status quo, amazing accomplishments. I'm
their family or the first to be on a credits because of dual enroll- at Grand Valley State University. and pursue your passions with excited to watch each of them
strong career path toward a ment at Schoolcraft. “Starkweather gave me a home.” unwavering determination.” continue on the path to success
trade or college.” “The opportunities and con- Tanana, Bushey, Pearson and At Starkweather, Lane said in their life's journey.”
As a high school designed for nections at Starkweather are by Deradourian are among the 990- his students can pursue their District seniors from the other
students with different learning far my favorite thing about the plus Plymouth Canton passions, stay focused and feel three high schools - Salem,
abilities and needs, school,” she said. “I am grateful Community Schools graduates of accepted because of the small Canton and Plymouth - graduat-
Starkweather centers programs for the scholarship that I won 2023 who will go to a two-year or size and student-centered learn- ed June 11, with ceremonies on
and services around individual from the Plymouth Rotary Club four-year college. More than 3 ing. the campus of Eastern Michigan
students' schedules and and will be attending percent of 2023 graduates are “These are great kids and University in Ypsilanti.
strengths. Starkweather classes Schoolcraft as a full-time student joining the skilled trades profes- there is no typical student,” Lane Plymouth Canton Community
are small, with a low student-to- in the fall to continue studying to sions and technical schools. The said. “Our students tend to be Schools Board of Education
teacher and -staff ratio that Lane become an educator. My goal is remaining graduates plan to more accepting of others member Patti McCoin said:
says helps build relationships, to maybe one day return to enlist in the military or take a because they come to us as hav- “Plymouth-Canton Community
support and trust with students. Starkweather as a teacher,” year off before deciding their ing a lack of success somewhere Schools graduates of 2023 contin-
Starkweather also offers a Bushey said. next steps. either academically or socially. ue a tradition of success in the
daily academic support class to For 2023 graduates, Superintendent of Schools Dr. We focus all our resources on classroom and beyond. With our
give students time during the Starkweather provided students Monica Merritt urged the new supporting each and every stu- focus on providing a world class
school day to catch up or com- with a sense of belonging, many graduates to continue to dream, dent's success by getting to know education for every student, our
plete makeup work, take part in said, along with the hope to pur- create and innovate, telling and supporting students' individ- graduates are prepared and
class work outside of the school sue their goals. them, “These words embody the ual needs and strengths to pre- ready to thrive.”