MOUNT VERNON – Three young men received their high school diplomas Friday after overcoming learning challenges at Transition U, a life-skills teaching program at the Knox Learning Center. The facility is operated by the Knox Educational Service Center (ESC).
Diplomas from their respective home schools were awarded to:
Ethan Biggs, East Knox
Jacob Coscia, Mount Vernon
Connor Perry, Fredericktown
The ceremony was held in the Alumni Room of The Barn on the Mount Vernon Nazarene University campus.
Transition U serves students ages 17 to 22 who have earned enough credits for their diplomas but whose special needs or disabilities have delayed development of the life skills needed to live independently. The program teaches cooking, hygiene, personal finance and other skills in the classroom and job skills at several businesses in the community.
Awarding of diplomas is deferred until students, parents, home school districts and Transition U staff agree that personal life skills have been achieved or the students have found gainful employment.
Prior to Friday’s program, Hood offered personal comments about each graduate.
About Biggs, she said, “Ethan was very kind to his classmates and is a great friend to them. He is a big fan of the Buckeyes. His favorite job site was Community Roots because he liked watching the butterflies outside in the garden. He enjoyed making meatball subs in class.”
Regarding Coscia, Hood said, “Jacob was always willing to help his fellow classmates with technology, He enjoys fishing and country music. His favorite jobsite was Heartland Country Resort because he got to interact with many farm animals and clean the feed closets and stalls. His favorite food we made in class was the taco bar.”
About Perry, she commented, “Connor loved singing for his classmates and the staff. He is a big fan of music, especially the band Alabama. His favorite jobsite was Burrata because he liked rolling the silverware. He liked making pancakes in the classroom, especially chocolate-chip ones.”
ESC Superintendent Dr. Timm Mackley said Hood’s comments reflect the personal attention students receive from Transition U staff.
“The staff works with students as individuals. Students develop personal and work skills in a caring and nurturing environment,” Mackley said.
The Knox Learning Center, an alternative school for students in kindergarten through high school, is located in the former Mount Vernon West Elementary building.