Burket Educational Center Holds Eighth Annual Graduation
Burket Educational Center Holds Eighth Annual Graduation
Posted
Staff Report-
Burket Educational Center Holds Eighth Annual GraduationBURKET – May 26 at 1 p.m., Burket Educational Center held its eighth annual graduation celebration. A crowd of approximately 150 students, family, faculty, staff, administrators, school board members, media and patrons filled the floor of the Burket gymnasium to participate in the celebration. The day was designed to honor the 25 students who finished his/her academic work at Burket Educational Center this year. The theme for the school year is “Education opens your door to the future.” The event was opened with some words by Micah Lukens, the classroom teacher, followed by the recitation of the pledge of allegiance. Michael Schmidt, program director assistant principal at Tippecanoe Valley High School, then described the accomplishments of the school this year and what might lay ahead for our honored graduates. Following Schmidt’s talk, the faculty and staff of BEC presented Linda Tucker with an award for her 27 years of service. She has been Burket building secretary for 22 years and Tippecanoe Valley Middle School secretary for five years. She is retiring at the conclusion of this school year, her eighth working at the Alternative School at Burket. Many cheered as she was given the award and she received a standing ovation from the crowd. Lukens then spent one hour honoring the graduates. Each graduate was named and asked to come to the front of the gym. Once there, the story of his/her success was shared with the audience followed by pictures in front of a door with a graduation cap on it. Two of the bravest students shared with the group their experiences (LeAnn Harris and Dereck Ferrell). In all, 17 of the 25 graduates were in attendance with friends and family members. At the conclusion of the ceremony, a group picture was taken, followed by refreshments and socializing. The event was concluded by 3 p.m. Students who graduate from Burket receive a diploma from Tippecanoe Valley High School and had the option to walk at the graduation ceremony June 5 at the commencement ceremonies. The Burket Educational Center Class of 2011 included: Brittany Rachelle Addair, Jessica Lynn Bell, Sasha Rustelle Lynn Bolen, Brad Alan Brubaker, Kiley Ann Conwell, Breona Lynn Davis, Destiny Starr Evans, Dereck Neil Ferrell, Christopher Thomas Freedle, Alexandria Nicole Griggs, LeAnn Udora Harris, Ethan Allen Harshman, Chad Edward Hedington, Sixto Rios Hernandez, Kayla Trene Hyde, Allen Raul Jackson, Daniel Wayne Kitch, Matthew Dillon Mahaska, Cody Brian Miller, Michael Dylan Patrick, Jason Edward Pearson, Riley Wilson Ritchison, Darian Jean Scott, Carrie Ann Strahlem and David Wayne Swank.
