'Grit and determination': Marshall Street School, Job Development Program sends off grads

Marshall Street School and Washington County Job Development Program students graduated Wednesday, showing their grit and determination, as the school's principal said. Twenty-six students graduated from the programs, and four were recognized for completing 12th grade.

Principal Sarah Stare’s speech emphasized the growth in the student's ability to self-advocate and their determination to succeed.

The two programs are for students with extensive support needs. Students attending the programs typically have adaptive, cognitive and other delays that impact their ability to attend a typical school, according to Stare.

“Each of you has unique needs, and over time you have developed a system of communication that has allowed you to take risks … I commend you for the hard work you have put in for what you have achieved today and the example you have set for us all,” Stare said.

Marshall Street School teaches students from 5 to 21 years of age. The school is designated for students in the county with greater difficulty functioning at a typical public school.

Ian Toms graduated from the school and gave part of the graduate welcome speech; the latter was a shock for his parents.

His parents said their son, who is autistic, has always been very social and the school staff has used this trait as a skill.

The school has helped Ian with personal space skills and improved his ability to function in the community, according to Toms’ father, Scott Toms.

Support staff for the school not only help their son at school, but some help out at their house, making them a part of the Toms family.

Their son loves Marshall Street School so much that even on weekends, he wishes he was in school.

“That’s a testament to how well the staff is and how much they care for the kids,” mom Stacey Toms said.

'This gave me the courage to get a job'

The Washington County Job Development program trains students to be ready for the workforce after completing four years of high school. As a part of this program, students are often paired up with local employers.

Austin Ellis thought no one would ever hire him. Now he is looking forward to working at McDonald's and credits the program for giving him the strength and courage to find this next step.

“I didn’t have courage and I just kept feeling down on myself … this gave me the courage to get a job,” Ellis said.

He graduated from the Job Development Program and was a part of the campus connector program. Ellis tried out many different types of jobs, including working in the on-site café.

The job development program teaches job skills in the classroom such as culinary and horticulture trades. Then students go with a job coach into real-world work experiences.

Alanyah Nicholson attended North Hagerstown High before entering the Job Development Program. She worked at Old Navy during the program.

“She has really grown, really matured,” Lesley Smith, Nicholson’s relative, said. “If anyone has a child that needs to hear, this is a really loving group."

Nicholson is heading to Hagerstown Community College to explore her love of art.

Students shared that they are thankful for the program but also sad to be leaving their friends.

“I’m glad I spent so much time here with all of my favorite people in the whole wide world,” Sean Bennett, a Job Development Program graduate who plans to work as a janitor.

This graduating class faced a roller coaster of challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Stare said.

Their success demonstrates their grit and determination, the principal said, and she is confident that they will continue to be successful.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Hagerstown school, program for those with support needs has graduation