Leaps and bounds: Valley Pathways staff honor students for their hard work, determination

Graduating at the top of her class and a national region champion in gymnastics, Esther Edwards exhibited her skills by leaping on stage to receive her diploma during the Valley Pathways graduation at the Menard Sports Center Thursday afternoon.

“Alright Ester, that was an entrance,” Pathways teacher and advisor Amber Hays said as she introduced Edwards.

Each of the 26 graduating seniors were welcomed on stage by their faculty advisors. Advisors shared a brief history with each student and the accomplishments they have achieved at VPS. The bond between students and mentors was relevant with the hugs, handshakes, kind words and tears shed after each interaction.

As principal Will Reeder congratulated his mentored student of four years, Tristan Escobar, and shook his hand while giving him his diploma, Escobar leaned in and said, “I’m going to miss you,” which Reeder responded with, “I’m going to miss you, too.”

Pathways graduating senior and student speaker Blake Petersen spoke on why he chose to attend VPS and the lasting difference it has made in his life.

“I truly believe we’re going to surprise the world in every very best way,” Petersen said during his speech. “We’ve made history just being ourselves, now let’s write our futures.”

He described how each teacher took their time and went out of their way to students and build their confidence. He mentioned the friendships and his own self-discovery during his time at VPS.

“I soon discovered that the school was so much more than a place with fewer people. It became a community, a family, one where every teacher genuinely cared and wanted to see us succeed,” Petersen said. “I hadn’t experienced that before.”

A former VPS student and graduate Sayje Atrim congratulated the newest set of alumni. She acknowledged the challenges that students face on their education pathway when they first come to VPS. Atrim referred to the teachers and faculty at VPS as her “school parents.”

“Those teachers and mentors who never gave up on us, even when we had given up on ourselves,” Atrim said. “This place isn’t just a school, it’s a second family.”

Atrim attributed her success in attending college and entering the workforce because of her time at VPS and the support she received from her mentors.

The afternoon’s keynote speaker was former VPS teacher Melinda Haynes. She recognized the passionate and supportive teachers and faculty that make VPS as successful as it is for Valley students that truly need them.

“That’s the heart of Valley Pathways,” Haynes said. “It’s why this place doesn’t just work, it matters.”

With such a small student body, Haynes reflected on how students and teachers make deep, real-life connections with each other at VPS. Teachers help students realize they matter and help them find their true potential. She spoke on how students and staff celebrate together as they reach each milestone in their journey towards graduation and made sure no student was left behind.

“We’re proud of you and we’re all here for you,” Haynes said with tears welling up in her eyes.

Haynes encouraged the graduating class to use the knowledge and skills that they learned from VPS as they continue into their next segment in life, and to refer back to the relationships and bonds they created while they were there.

“It’s more than a school. It’s a community. It’s a family. And that doesn’t fade with time,” Haynes said. “And remember, you will always have a home at Valley Pathways.”