Cedar Lane Alternative High School students graduate Tuesday

Published 9:26 am Thursday, June 1, 2017

By Kelsey Hammon

Donning blue caps and gowns, students from Cedar Lane Alternative High School, adult education and W-A-Y Niles packed the Michiana Christian Embassy Church Tuesday night, with family and friends in tow, for graduation.

Dozens filled the church at 1922 E. Main St. Some in attendance held bouquets of flowers and bunches of balloons.

While students enrolled in the programs may have faced obstacles that could have impeded their education, students’ sheer perseverance and tenacity, and the staff’s dedication, helped  overcome challenges that stood in their way.

This was the resounding message of the six speakers who addressed the crowd, including the Niles district Assistant Superintendent Rich Klemm, Principal John Fonash, Niles Community School Board President Greg O’Toole, student Labon Blankenship, former Cedar Lane graduate Andrei Sullivan and Superintendent Dan Applegate.

Applegate commended students’ efforts and achieving their high school diplomas. 

“The burrs and thorns you endured along the way are part of your personal story,” Applegate said. “Your journeys are unique, but more importantly they are remarkable. Anyone sustaining determination and grit through new and sometimes unforgiving paths is going to do incredible things in his or her lifetime.”

Student speaker Blankenship shared a bit of his journey and similarly encouraged his fellow students to use the tenacity that helped them to obtain their diplomas in other aspects of life.

Blankenship started his high school education at Niles High School, then the W-A-Y- Program, but neither seemed to be the right fit, until he became a Cedar Lane student.

Upon moving to Cedar Lane to continue his education, Blankenship said he found an academic team that embraced him like a family, helping him along every step of the way.

Still, some people perceive alternative high school in a negative light, he said.

“Sometimes the stigma of being labeled an alternative student makes us feel like outcasts,” Blaneknship said. “We are not proud that we did not have success at other schools, but we are grateful for what we have become.”

But success would not have been possible without the help of dedicated faculty who aided students along the way, Blankenship said.

“I believe every student here tonight has had a teacher [who] influenced them along the way,” Blankenship said.

For Blankenship, that mentor was math teacher Tara Carlsen. Throughout his time at the high school, Carlsen helped to teach Blankenship perseverance — a skill Blankenship said will serve him well.

“Our task on graduating was not easy, but this is just the beginning of our legacy,” Blankenship said. “We will be challenged relentlessly, but we should not fear these challenges.”

Blankenship used the skills he had learned to encourage other students to face their fears. Through a program called “Reaching for the Reins,” students got to work with horses on a ranch in Benton Harbor. When one student became too fearful to ride a horse, Blankenship encouraged him.

Among those thanked for their efforts Tuesday night was Klemm, who has dedicated 20 years to the district.

Fonash announced that Klemm would be retiring at the end of the school year.

Fonash said Klemm would leave behind a legacy. He credited Klemm for guiding the start up of the W-A-Y  high school and middle school programs.

“During a time when districts were pulling back on alternative options, Rich remained the back bone of Niles’ commitment to provide diverse opportunities for all students, knowing that one size does not fit all.” Fonash said.

Since Klemm’s leadership, the program has served a greater number of students serving approximately 150 students. The education program, including Cedar Lane, W-A-Y and adult education, now serves approximately 400 to 500 students per year.

“Those who have had the privilege to work with Rich appreciate his unequaled ability to handle the most difficult situations with calm and steady judgment and the heart to always do what is best for students,” Fonash said.

After receiving their diplomas, Applegate asked for students to stand and move their tassels.

Students then proceeded out of the room to claps and cheers, uniting with their families and friends to celebrate the occasion.

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