The room at Clackamas Education Service District headquarters was full before the ceremony even began.
Families, friends, classmates, teachers, and staff gathered, waiting for a moment years in the making: the celebration of six Life Enrichment Education Program high school graduates.
There were many familiar signs of a high school graduation, including caps and gowns, a printed program, proud applause, smiling faces, and more than a few tears from family members and loved ones. But this ceremony was also deeply personal, filled with moments that reflected the unique journeys, personalities, and accomplishments of each graduate.
A Reflection of Clackamas ESD’s Commitment
At Clackamas ESD, we are committed to ensuring students and families in all of our communities, big and small, have access to equitable education services and meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. The Life Enrichment Education Program, known as LEEP, is one example of that commitment. LEEP provides a comprehensive education for students in kindergarten through transition who have complex disabilities and communication needs.
Honoring Each Graduate’s Journey
During the graduation ceremony, each student was honored not only for reaching an important milestone, but also for the path they took to get there.
Each graduate had a storyboard that brought their story to life through photos and highlights from their educational experience. Teachers shared childhood photos alongside recent pictures, reflecting on the growth they had witnessed over the years and the joy each student brought to their school community.
Graduates were recognized through remarks from their teachers: Abby Aquino, LEEP teacher at Clackamas High School; Shannon Freeman, LEEP teacher at Oregon City High School; and Pat Abel, LEEP teacher at Gladstone High School. Each teacher had two graduates in their class this year, making their reflections especially meaningful.
Lessons Shared by Students and Teachers
As teachers spoke, a theme quickly emerged: while students had learned from their teachers, their teachers had also learned deeply from them.
One teacher spoke about discovering a student’s sense of humor. Another shared how a student’s kindness and big heart made them look forward to each day. Another reflected on a student’s ability to communicate exactly what they need, even without using spoken words.
“Our LEEP graduates have shown us the true definition of perseverance this year,” said Abby Aquino, Clackamas High School LEEP teacher. “They have faced unique challenges with courage, transformed obstacles into stepping stones, and grown into self-aware young adults. To our graduates and their families: you have earned every bit of this celebration. Keep rewriting the rules of what is possible.”
For many in the room, the ceremony was more than a recognition of academic progress. It was a celebration of relationships, resilience, communication, community, and the many ways students grow when they are surrounded by people who believe in them.
“The LEEP high school graduation ceremony is always one of my favorite things to be a part of,” said Jan Burkhartzmeyer, Clackamas ESD LEEP teacher on special assignment. “Every year, I feel so proud to be part of an event where I can see students, staff, and families gather and celebrate. There are many tears of joy from families, and I love that it is a celebration so focused on our students: how much they have grown, how far they have come, and what to look forward to next.”
Looking Ahead
For graduates, the next step will be continuing into the LEEP Post-High Program, which supports young adults ages 18–21 as they build skills, explore opportunities, and prepare for a successful transition from high school to adulthood.
As the ceremony came to a close, the room was filled with pride: pride in the graduates, in their families, and in the educators, specialists, and support staff who have walked alongside them throughout their educational journeys.
