Published: July 07, 2008 11:06 am         

ACADEMY: Niagara Academy sends off the class of 2008

by lisa bielmeier

Special to the Journal-Register

“If anyone deserves a celebration, they do,” said Niagara Academy Principal Sushma Sztorc.

And celebrate they did. Walking across the gym floor to receive their diplomas recently were 46 students from Grand Island, Kenmore-Tonawanda, Lewiston-Porter, Lyndonville, Medina, Newfane, Niagara Falls, Niagara Wheatfield, North Tonawanda, Royalton-Hartland, Starpoint and Wilson.

Thirty-eight Regents diplomas were awarded, as well as three advanced Regents.

There also were more than 30 career and technical endorsements from the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center, where they studied a trade.

While many of the students have been taking their requirement classes at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES-run school, representatives from each of the districts were on hand to present them with their degrees.

“We are very fortunate,” Sztorc said. “We receive tremendous support from the parents, community and the districts for our students. It means a lot to all of us that the superintendents, principals and CSE (Committee on Special Education) chairs will take two hours out of their busy schedules to present the students with their diplomas. I think it really says to the kids that this is a big deal.”

It is a big deal. Many of the students at the Academy would have, in all likelihood, dropped out or failed if they had not been enrolled in the Academy. The Niagara Academy is a comprehensive high school for students who cannot get their needs met in their home districts.

“With the ever-rising academic standards and the associated stresses with them and with sometimes stressful home lives, many students are unable to achieve success in a traditional school setting,” said Alternative Education and Special Education Director Robert Cluckey. “The Niagara Academy provides a smaller, structured environment and counseling on a regular and continual basis to help students develop the social skills to be successful in life. We have a tremendous staff that really helps these kids to stay on track and achieve their goals.”

“The students were very focused on graduation,” Sztorc said. “In spite of the barriers they may have faced at different times as individuals or a group, they stayed focused. Many of them have already bridged the gap and walked over into the adult world.”

She points to the 26 graduates who will be attending college this fall, as well as those students who already have full-time employment.

One student completed his studies in January and recently returned from basic training. He is looking forward to serving his country with the U.S. Marines.

“It is a very proud moment for us to see them standing there so tall and so confident,” Sztorc said. “It is a very nice feeling.”