Tyler

By MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writer

Four St. Louis School students graduated Wednesday in front of a cheering crowd of friends, families and teachers during a ceremony at the school for students with special needs.

Cloaked in traditional caps and gowns, David Christopher Bush, Christopher David Ray, Melvin Lee Rolf and Layton Wayne Wolf were honored during an emotional graduation ceremony, which included reflections from teachers, a video slideshow showing the graduates from childhood to present day and a presentation of diplomas.

“This is one of the best days of our lives,” Frettie Bush said of the graduation of his son, David. “To see him graduate and to complete a number of the things … he has accomplished and looking back at where he came from and what he went through up to now, it’s fantastic.”

Bush said Wednesday’s graduation ceremony was “awesome” and described the school as “outstanding.” He and his wife’s 22-year-old son has attended St. Louis School for 14 years.

Wednesday was a special day for the Rolf family, as well, with more than 30 family members from Arkansas to Austin in attendance, as well as past teachers and nurses.

“I loved it,” Cathie Rolf said of the graduation ceremony. “Everything they do is special. If you come to this school for a Christmas program or a Valentine’s program, any kind of program, these people just absolutely are such creative folks that every event is special.”

Mrs. Rolf said she and her husband, Melvin, were also sad as they come to the end of their son’s time at St. Louis. Their 22-year-old son, Melvin, has been at St. Louis for 11 years.

“It’s been a really good experience for us,” Mrs. Rolf said. “It’s been a big blessing in our lives to have this facility, to have all of the access to things he wouldn’t otherwise have … They’re just set up in such a way that they can accommodate his needs no matter what they are.”

Christopher Ray’s teacher, Greg Danielson, said the graduate has taught him a lot about living life to the fullest.

Christopher Ray’s teacher, Greg Danielson, said the graduate has taught him a lot about living life to the fullest.

“It’s been a really good experience for us,” Mrs. Rolf said. “It’s been a big blessing in our lives to have this facility, to have all of the access to things he wouldn’t otherwise have … They’re just set up in such a way that they can accommodate his needs no mater what they are.”

“He has taught me to find something that you love and stick with it even when it gets hard,” Danielson said.

He said Ray is in the horseback riding program at St. Louis and won Special Olympics’ medals for his riding ability. Danielson also spoke of his student’s love of music and his contagious laugh.

“He has become a wonderful young man,” he said. “He charms people around him with his smile and his uncanny ability to recognize when someone needs a word of encouragement.”

Although Layton Wolf has been at St. Louis for just a few years, Sherry Jordan, a teacher, said he has “worked his way into our hearts and we have come to love and care for him. It seems like he has been here forever.”

Ms. Jordan said Wolf’s classroom staff felt too emotional to deliver the reflections at the graduation, so she stepped in and read their statement.

His teachers described him as someone who loves being with other people as well as someone who is persistent.

When he began at the school he was very reserved, she said.

“Today, Layton arrives at school each morning smiling and laughing. He’s very expressive,” she said.

His teachers said they are very proud of him and will always remember him and his family.

Melvin Rolf’s teacher, Brenda Harper, told the audience about all of Rolf’s nicknames, including “Melvis” for the Elvis Presley fan.

“He may have many names, but they all refer to one wonderful person with an awesome personality and the biggest smile,” Ms. Harper said. “Melvin’s greatest asset is his ability to positively impact the people around him — to make them smile, to brighten their day.”

David Bush was described as someone who loves to do things for other people and who is caring and polite.

“I’ve even heard him say, ‘God bless you’ to people as they’re going out the door,” his teacher, Carol Smith, told the audience. “It takes him a little longer to get it out though, and so a lot of times the people miss it, but he says it just about every time.”

Ms. Smith recalled funny stories about things he’s said, describing him as someone who loves a good joke and can’t keep a surprise a secret.

“He laughs and his eyes sparkle with delight when he gets to meet new friends … Through the years he has made my work a joy to come to,” Ms. Smith said, tearing up and her voice shaking. “…Through the years he has encountered many obstacles and challenges. Through these, he and his family have morphed into an exceptional team that can take on the worst experiences and triumph over them.”

Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid said it’s an exciting time of year when there are graduation ceremonies, noting the John Tyler and Robert E. Lee high school graduations in June.

“This ceremony is even more special to us,” Reid told the crowd Wednesday. “It is always a time of great excitement and happiness and also a little bit of sadness too because we always believe that our schools are families. And that’s never more clear than it is here at St. Louis.”

St. Louis School Principal Karyn Hacker said after the ceremony that students can graduate from the school when they reach a certain age. Each student is on an individual plan and graduates when he or she finishes the plan, but most are about 21 or 22.

The last two years they are at St. Louis, the school works with the families on the upcoming transition, Ms. Hacker said.

After graduation, some students will go to sheltered workshops, some will go home, some will live in group homes and some may participate in day activities at the Andrews Center, she said.

“Our job is to get them as ready as we can for one of those placements,” she said.

Ms. Hacker said the school works with students on learning simple work tasks such as shredding paper, rolling silverware and packaging items, and works on movement skills and self-care skills such as eating, dressing and bathing to help the students be as independent as possible.

She spoke about the meanings of graduation, including that it is about facing each day with determination and a positive attitude.

“All four of these young men definitely have that determination and positive attitude,” Ms. Hacker said. “They come to school eager to face the challenges the day brings. I’m confident they’ll face the future in the same way. They’ve worked hard to learn new skills that will benefit them in this chapter of their lives as well as in their new one.”

As the graduation concluded, she reminded them not to be saddened by goodbyes.

“You’re our friends, we’re your family. You’re always, always welcome here.”

GRADUATING CLASS: At right, four students (from left to right) David Christopher Bush, Christopher David Ray, Melvin Lee Rolf and Layton Wayne Wolf, graduate from the St. Louis School.
((Staff Photo By Tom Turner))