Leonard Kirtz graduates 8 tonight

AUSTINTOWN

In three months, Sarah Klingensmith will enter an adult-rehabilitation center to learn supported-employment skills, but her first priorities are to swim as much as possible and bask in the glow of her latest accomplishment: receiving her diploma.

“She’s happy and has been surrounded by love in this facility for 22 years,” said Klingensmith’s mother, Betsy, referring to the Leonard Kirtz School, the site of Thursday’s 42nd annual graduation ceremony.

Klingensmith, of Boardman, was one of eight graduates with special needs who made up the Class of 2010 and were honored during the 45-minute commencement at the school, 4801 Woodridge Ave. Roughly 100 family members, friends and others applauded as the graduates in their bright red caps and gowns came forward to receive their diplomas.

The other seven were Joseph Best, Jeffrey Bliss, Yessenia Garcia, Amber Hacon, Michael Longo, Cindy Martin and Benjamin Welch. Longo and Best attended the Mahoning County Educational Service Center.

Klingensmith, who has an undiagnosed genetic syndrome and is nonverbal, received early intervention at home starting when she was 2 months old, said her mother, vocational director at Gateway Industries, a Youngstown-based adult sheltered workshop.

The younger Klingensmith had been at Leonard Kirtz since she was enrolled in its preschool program at age 2, Betsy Klingensmith recalled.