220 Students Celebrate School to Work Milestones in Utica

Two hundred twenty students with disabilities walked into Utica University on Tuesday to celebrate something worth cheering about: their hard work preparing for meaningful careers and independent lives.

The Arc's 15th annual School to Work ceremony honored students from grades 7-12 across Oneida County who completed or advanced through programs designed to build real job skills. What started 15 years ago with just a few students in a single classroom has grown into a standing-room-only celebration.

Proctor High School senior Camani Collins beamed as she told the audience that School to Work is her favorite part of school. Her teacher Nancy Becker said Collins has become "an ambassador of friendliness" who embodies everything the program stands for.

Shawna Williams, another graduating senior, shared her favorite memories: visiting a greenhouse and making Rice Krispies treats. Her teachers called her a hardworking ray of sunshine and a weather expert to boot.

The real transformation showed in what Williams' mom Connie shared with the crowd. Her daughter has flourished so much that she's now ready to try anything that comes her way.

The School to Work programs give students hands-on experience through classroom instruction, community visits, job shadowing, internships, and actual paid work. Students learn skills they can use immediately while building confidence for their futures.

Director Brandi McCanney said her favorite moment came when students watched a video compilation of their year's activities. "Their faces say what words can't say," she explained as students laughed and reminisced together.

Teachers Tom Holt, Elaine Buttenschon, and Riley Davis received special recognition for their commitment to helping students succeed. Their dedication helps transform nervous beginners into confident graduates ready for the workforce.

Sunny's Take

Utica University President Stephanie Nesbitt summed up what makes this program special when she told students they make the campus better just by being there. The ceremony proves that when schools invest in all students' potential, everyone wins. These 220 graduates aren't just walking away with certificates; they're walking into futures filled with possibility, armed with skills that employers value and confidence that will carry them forward.

What started small has grown into something remarkable: a community that celebrates every student's unique path to success.