Academic achievement, behavioral excellence and celebrating eight seniors highlighted the Compass Program’s annual Awards Ceremony.

Compass Principal Drew Yakawiak began the ceremony by congratulating the program’s Class of 2022, which features eight students, many of whom have been with the program for several years.

“A lot of them have been with the Compass Program for a lot of years. Some have been here for five or more years. So, kudos to them. All those speeches from myself and your teachers talking about graduation over the years, and now that time has come.”

Yakawiak thanked parents, BOCES administrators and Board of Education members for their support over the years. Yakawiak then spent time thanking Compass staff for their dedication and commitment to the program and its students.

“I can’t say enough about our Compass staff. They are just wonderful people. And they continue the daily grind that can be alternative education. Most of our students have made great strides since September thanks to your efforts,” he said.

Each Compass student was presented with a Certificate of Completion, followed by Department Awards presented by each of the program’s teachers. The ceremony was finalized when Foundations for Career and College Readiness Teacher Crystal Ponto presented each senior with awards, which included senior cords.

The senior class includes Jake Calhoun, Jayti Gonzalez, Darien Horn, Liam Hughes, Mackenzie Kuykendall, Austin Lusk, Logan Meade and Joe Muntz.