‘Dynamic’ class of 11 earns certificates from Carroll Transitions Connections Academy

Applause were abundant Friday morning at the Carroll Community College Scott Center — sometimes in the form of jazz hands to accommodate those who are sensitive to loud noises —for this year’s cohort completing Carroll County Public Schools’ Transitions Connections Academy.

The graduating class was small, but “dynamic,” according to coordinator Julie Koontz, of Hampstead. Eleven students, aged 18 to 21, were jubilant as they received certificates Friday morning during a ceremony that was heartfelt, personal and unique among public school graduations. The academy supports the school-to-workforce transition for disabled adults by providing academic instruction and vocational experiences. Roughly 10 to 25 students earn their certificate each year.

“These students are phenomenal,” Koontz said. “They know more than a lot of people think that they do, and they have so much to offer to everybody. They are a great source of employment opportunities for anybody out there with businesses.”

The ceremony carries the combined significance of a high school graduation and completion of a shorter-term college-level career program, instructor Jennifer Wolfarth said.

“This is huge for them,” Koontz said, “because this is the first experience where they’re preparing to leave the school system. They’ve been part of this system for a long time, and now they’re uncertain of what their next steps are going to be.”

Graduates are not conferred high school diplomas, but Superintendent Cynthia McCabe said the school system awards certificates that mean they have completed all of the all of the grades in Carroll’s public school system, and they have gone through additional training to make sure that they’re prepared to get a job in the community.

Last year there were 21 students who graduated, Koontz said, in a quiet, somber ceremony that was a far cry from the happiness exuded Friday morning.

Graduates held their heads high throughout the ceremony, while swaying or nodding along to soothing, upbeat music, or shuffling across the stage. Among them was Debbie Brusio, who high-fived everyone she knew and introduced herself to several strangers while walking to the stage, and Nathan Bunger, who jumped for joy before receiving his certificate.

Wolfarth said Brusio is, “the queen of high fives.”

McCabe said the ceremony is different from a typical graduation because with fewer students there’s more time to spend highlighting the accomplishments of each.

“The students have come accomplished so much, and they’ve been waiting for this day for a long, long time,” she said.

Academy programs

Students are identified to join the Transitions Connections Academy after completing four years of high school, based on a decision made by the student’s family and Individualized Education Plan team, Koontz said.

The half-day program spans from one to three years, depending on the needs of the student. Wolfarth said most students graduate at 21, reaping the benefits of the program for all three years allowed.

“We differ in terms of our expectations,” Wolfarth said. “We know we’re the end of the line, so when our students leave us, they have to be autonomous. They have to be able to advocate for themselves, and they have to make decisions and take their own risks.”

The academy has great relationships with adult/support agencies, such as Penn-Mar Human Services, to help students transitions seamlessly from the school system to a career path, Koontz said.

“They’re going into adult services, which is a whole different world,” Wolfarth said. “It’s no longer about what the school system is trying to teach them, it’s what they want to do, and it becomes all about them. They drive the car, going forward. From here on out, all the decisions will be made based on what the graduating students want to do and what their interests are. They get to go out into the adult world and be self-directed, and it’s a big shift from school.”

Wolfarth said the program treats students like the adults they are, and honors their autonomy while preparing them for the next phase of life. The academy is flexible, allowing students to miss time if they have already found work, or to take a hybrid course of study to experience more workplace environments and hone a more eclectic array of skills.

“We treat them like every other young adult out there,” Wolfarth said, “and we have high expectations, but we foster their independence along the way.”

There are five designated programs within the Transitions Connections Academy, each with different community partners and varying supports and outcomes. Programs partnering with McDaniel College, Carroll Community College and Carroll Hospital are designed to prepare students for full-time competitive employment without supports, according to the CCPS website.

The Transitional Opportunities for Personal Success program, designed for students with a moderate level of independence, includes volunteer custodial, childcare, clerical, and community services work experiences.

The Community Integration for Transitioning Youth program, designed for students who need a higher level of support, includes team-setting volunteer food service, retail, and clerical work experiences.

“This is a wonderful program that we have to support our students, to make sure that they have the job skills to go out, get a job, and be a part of our community,” McCabe said, “and that’s very important to us in Carroll County.”

The academy transforms students, “like from a caterpillar to a butterfly,” Wolfarth said.

Class of 2024

Each member of the graduating class shared highlights from their time at the academy in a slideshow and in the ceremony program, and each recorded a message thanking their family for support. Students hugged their parents and other family members when the “thank you” messages played.

Kyle Allen, who worked at McDaniel College during his time at the academy, said the academy was an awesome experience where he made many new friends. Tony Arroyo said his favorite jobs at the academy were in the McDaniel dish room and in respiratory therapy at Carroll Hospital. Everett Nowosielski said his favorite job at the academy was supply-chain work at the hospital.

“Everett was very high-spirited within our department and helped tremendously,” Angie Bachtel, of Carroll Hospital, said. “He liked telling jokes and was always in a good mood and ready to start his day.”

Megan Smith said she enjoyed working in the hospital’s environmental services department. “During her time here she kept lobby clean and sanitized to help protect our patients, visitors and staff,” Bachtel said. “She maintained a main area of the hospital that is a first impression area that people see when they come into the building.”

Nathan Bunger said he liked working at the community college bookstore. “(Nathan) embraces every challenge we presented to him and was always willing to lend a helping hand,” Carroll Community College vice president of continuing education Kelly Koermer said at the ceremony.