Project SEARCH holds graduation ceremonies for Ft. Eustis and Sentara CarePlex sites

 

The Hampton school division celebrates and congratulates the 2024 Project SEARCH Sentara CarePlex and Project SEARCH Ft. Eustis graduates. HCS honors eight graduates from its four high schools.

 

Project SEARCH is a work-based learning initiative where students with disabilities are immersed in a real-world working environment. In this program, employees at host sites act as mentors, sharing their expertise and experience with students, thereby transforming the educational approach in Hampton City Schools. Students find Project SEARCH transformative as they engage in extensive hands-on skills training and career exploration, receive innovative adaptations, long-term job coaching, and continuous feedback from teachers, skills trainers, and employers. Originating at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, this model effectively helps students achieve their goals of competitive employment, gaining confidence, self-determination, and independence.

 

The Project SEARCH Transition-to-Work Program is a unique, business-led, one-year employment preparation program that takes place entirely at the workplace. Over 900 hours of total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through worksite rotations. The program culminates in individualized job development.

 

“Through collaboration with community partners, Hampton City Schools provides our scholars with the chance to engage in real work experiences, preparing them for success in competitive employment and life based on their interests, strengths, and skills,” shared Sherry Hildebrandt, special education transition specialist. 

Congratulations to the following students who graduated from Project SEARCH Sentara CarePlex in a ceremony held on June 10 at Sentara:

 

Messiah Gordon – Kecoughtan High School

Jose Hernandez – Kecoughtan High School

Kelvin Sapp – Bethel High School

Serenity Taynor – Hampton High School

Jaleel Brooks – Bethel High School

 

Congratulations to the following students who graduated from Project SEARCH Ft. Eustis in a ceremony at the Wylie Theatre at Ft. Eustis on June 11:

 

January Byrd – Hampton High School

Diamond Evans – Hampton High School graduate

Lionel Washington – Bethel High School

 

A special thanks to Sentara CarePlex for their partnership in providing work experience in food service, supply chain, health information systems, imaging, volunteer services, sterilization, and environmental services.

 

We also give a special thanks to Ft. Eustis for their partnership in providing work experience in the Anderson Field House Gym, Commissary, Gronginger Library, Transportation Museum, Eustis Club Burger King, General Smalls Inn, The Pines Golf Course, Resolute Cafe, Pershing Child Care Center, MWR ITT Office, Express FoodMart, Tignor Dental Clinic, and AAFES.

 

Videos of the ceremonies can be seen here:

Sentara: https://youtu.be/4t8_cJPtmDY

Ft. Eustis: https://youtu.be/WwwfQdO6svg