PI Academy graduates 20; celebrates ongoing success
by Amanda Polaski– Staff Writer
When considering the true meaning of success, it could fairly be said the twenty 2007 graduating students of Presque Isle Academy have certainly earned it. The purpose of PIA is to give students who do not necessarily find success possible in a traditional school setting the rightful opportunity to earn their education.
?WHEN I came to PIA I didn?t really care about school,? said graduate Amber Eckhart in her address to students, staff, and family at Thursday?s graduation ceremony. ?I moved to Onaway from Grand Rapids when I was 14, and attended tenth grade at the high school. It was a very difficult year.? Eckhart said she transferred to PIA ?for a fresh start? in education, but soon found the pressure of school had followed her. She thought she wouldn?t be able to graduate, and felt overwhelmed with schoolwork.
It wasn?t until PIA director Rick Bongard assured Eckhart she had the skills to achieve that Eckhart began to turn around. Many students at PIA find that what it takes is the personal touch to education PIA staff offers its students to guarantee success. Eckhart endured more hardship in her young life before getting on the right path toward her own self-achievement. She said she has learned each student at PIA is an individual who will make individual choices for his/her own life. Student Derek Bishop said he felt honored and privileged to graduate from PIA, and like Eckhart, found the traditional school setting ?frustrating and discouraging.?
?At PIA, my attitude changed, and I realized how important an education really is,? said Bishop. ?I may not be a genius, but with the essentials I have learned (at PIA), I know I will be successful.? Bishop said graduation was not an end of a journey, but the beginning of a new one.
?AS WE move forward, we should remember the support of those who helped us get this far,? said Bishop, ?and making mistakes in life is just an opportunity to learn.? PIA director Rick Bongard is proud of his graduating students. He handed out 17 high school diplomas and three GED?s on Thursday evening, with the satisfaction of knowing the education earned by each student will not go unappreciated. ?To understand why PIA graduation is so special you need to understand the students, and know their stories,? said Bongard. ?Many have been labeled as difficult students, lazy, or having poor attendance, but the harsh reality is these students have overcome personal tragedies that most kids just don?t experience.? Bongard said his students have each faced the possibility of giving up on their educatio
?Many kids quit school,? said Bongard, ?but not PIA graduates. These are the ones who chose to change schools rather than quit. They tried one more time, and found a real opportunity for success. They persevered?and that is what makes them special.? During Thursday?s graduation ceremony, students, staff, and family also heard from guest speaker Dr. Stan Delidow, who is the former assistant superintendent of the educational service district. Students also honored teacher Christi Cross, who is leaving this year to take a full-time teaching position. Eckhart thanked Cross for her dedication and devotion to PIA.
?Miss Cross is a great teacher, and she has meant a lot to her students,? said Eckhart.