(openPR) - (PASADENA, CA)--Graduations can be viewed as the end of a major milestone for students. Graduations can also be viewed as the beginning of a new journey. For graduates at Hillsides Education Center, graduation is a moment to reflect on the previous years of challenges and accomplishments, while looking toward a future that can be bright, filled with hope, and success.
Hillsides Education Center, a special education school in Pasadena serving students who have learning disabilities or severe emotional disturbances, held its commencement ceremony on June 22. Teachers and staff briefly introduced the graduates, sharing stories about each one of them, expounding on their talents and abilities, the smiles that greeted everyone and the confidence and self-expression they found throughout the years.
“What is unique about our graduations is that we have six graduates and six valedictorian speeches,” said Jay Bechtol, director of Hillsides Education Center. “We are extremely proud of each student and impressed with what each one has to say.”
Each graduate approached the podium and thanked someone for helping them throughout the years, whether it was providing comfort, guidance or education. One young girl, who also lives at Hillsides, the foster care children’s charity, acknowledged that she came to the residential facility with many challenges and is leaving with many accomplishments. She thanked the professional staff for helping her get to where she is now—proud of whom she has become and the prospect of where she is going.
Others thanked teachers for simply being there when they needed someone to talk to, while others thanked the charity’s caregivers for their patience, love, and for having a father figure.
“Graduation is a wonderful day at Hillsides, in particular for all the staff at Hillsides Education Center, who dedicate year after year to working with our students in providing them a quality education,” said Joseph M. Costa, Hillsides Chief Executive Officer. “We couldn’t be prouder of them and are excited about their future. Hillsides will continue to care and be a supportive community for them and we are confident of their future success.”
Bechtol shared with the audience that each graduate is enrolled in college or a vocational training program, a major accomplishment for each students and for the special education school in Program.

As a special education and private school founded in 1982, Hillsides Education Center creates a safe learning environment for students who require individualized attention due to severe emotional disturbances like ADHD or learning disabilities. To learn more about Hillsides Education Center, visit www.HillsidesEducationCenter.org.

Hillsides Education Center
940 Avenue 64,
Pasadena, CA 91105
Marisol Barrios
Office: (323) 254-2274 ext. 274
Cell: (310) 713-8567
E-mail: mbarrios@hillsides.org