108 students from across the state set to earn high school diplomas.
Pomp and circumstance will punctuate a series of upcoming graduations for 108 students in the coming weeks as they are awarded their high school diplomas by schools serving blind, deaf and severely disabled students.
The 4201 Schools Association, which advocates for students and its member schools, praised the accomplishments of the Class of 2014.
“This is a season of celebration of achievement for our students and their families” said Dr. Bernadette Kappen, executive director of the New York Institute for Special Education in the Bronx and chair of the 4201 Schools Association. “We are proud that they have reached an important milestone in their lives. They are equipped for life’s next meaningful moments.”
Dr. Harold Mowl, superintendent of the Rochester School for the Deaf (RSD), with a K-12 enrollment of 128, will preside over his final graduation ceremony at 7 p.m. on June 26. He is retiring after a 45-year career in education. Dr. Mowl’s leadership has had a positive and lasting impact on the lives of thousands of children and their families.
“Education, combined with hard work, opens doors and helps create opportunity no matter what your abilities are, or what challenges you face,” Dr. Mowl said. “Over the next few weeks, our focus will be on the students who have worked hard and are prepared for the wonderful things that await them.”
Between June 13 and June 27, all 11 member schools will hold commencements on their campuses. Commencement speakers of note include Michael Lawson, a Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Sports Hall of Fame soccer player, a three-time Deaflympian and two-time captain of the Deaflympic USA Deaf Men’s Soccer National Team. He will address the students at RSD on June 26.
Dr. Gerard Buckley, a nationally renowned expert on deaf education, will speak at the St. Mary’s School for the Deaf commencement on June 19. He is president of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, and vice president and dean at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
The following list provides the school name and address, along with the dates and times for each ceremony:
Cleary School for the Deaf
301 Smithtown Blvd, Nesconset (Suffolk)
1 p.m., June 13
Click here to view pictures from the Cleary School’s 2014 graduation
St. Joseph’s School for the Deaf
1000 Hutchinson River Pkwy, Bronx
10:30 a.m., June 13
View pictures from St. Joseph’s 2014 graduation
Lexington School for the Deaf
26-26 75th Street, East Elmhurst
7 p.m., June 18
View pictures from the Lexington School’s 2014 graduation
St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf
260 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn
1 p.m., June 18
View pictures from St. Francis de Sales 2014 graduation
St. Mary’s School for the Deaf
2253 Main St, Buffalo
7 p.m., June 19
View pictures from St. Mary’s 2014 graduation
New York Institute for Special Education
999 Pelham Pkwy N, Bronx
6 p.m., June 25
View pictures from New York Institute’s 2014 graduation
Henry Viscardi School
201 I.U. Willets Road, Albertson
7 p.m., June 26
View pictures from Henry Viscardi School 2014 graduation
Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf
40 Frost Mill Rd, Mill Neck
11 a.m., June 26
View pictures from Mill Neck Manor’s 2014 graduation
Rochester School for the Deaf
1545 St Paul St., Rochester
7 p.m., June 26
View pictures from Rochester School for the Deaf 2014 graduation
Lavelle School for the Blind
3830 Paulding Ave., Bronx
9:30 a.m., June 27
View pictures from Lavelle School for the Blind 2014 graduation
New York School for the Deaf
555 Knollwood Road, White Plains
10 a.m., June 27
View pictures from New York School for the Deaf 2014 graduation
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