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Graduates of Potential Development High School look ahead
Nonpublic charter school graduates 3
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
Reginald Balestrino would like to pursue a career in teaching or in the construction business, but for now, he’s relishing a major accomplishment he already has built.
“Everything,” Balestrino said without hesitation when asked what aspects of Potential Development High School he likely will miss and cherish.
Balestrino, Bradley Ferguson and Matthew Pirlozzi, all of whom are on the autism spectrum, were the first students to graduate from the 2-year-old nonpublic charter school during a one-hour commencement Friday at the high school, 2405 Market St., on the South Side.
Potential Development High School offers an extended school year from September through July. Enrolled are about 39 students in grades eight through 12 who had received a diagnosis of autism, which affects an estimated one in 68 children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
Common characteristics of autism include difficulties with social interactions, an unusual tendency to engage in repetitious behaviors, communication delays, trouble with regulating emotions, a limited ability to interpret facial expressions and heightened sensory problems.
Nevertheless, symptoms vary widely across the spectrum, according to Autism Speaks, a leading advocacy organization.
The school provides interactive projectors in each classroom, a low student-to-staff ratio, occupational and speech therapy, a fine-arts learning center, workforce-development and job-skills training programs, a sensory room, a science lab and a model apartment for learning life skills.
Balestrino, of Poland, said he was a little nervous about his future, which includes the possibility of college. He added that he intends to relax during the summer.
Ferguson said one of his top priorities will be to find employment. The Youngstown man listed math as his favorite subject and added that he will miss friends and teachers.
“I’m nervous about the future, but I’m glad I’ve done it,” a smiling Pirlozzi said, referring to his conversion from high-school student to graduate.
Pirlozzi noted that he plans to attend Youngstown State University, though is uncertain of a major. In the meantime, he hopes to use the rest of the summer to figure out his educational and career paths, Pirlozzi continued.
“I definitely will miss my friends and the crazy things we did together,” he said with a chuckle.
During the commencement, Lisa Robinson praised the graduates and compared their achievement with life lessons gleaned from “The Little Engine that Could,” the classic children’s story about the value of persistence, optimism and hard work.
“Today is a day that gives parents like me lots of hope,” said Robinson, of Poland, whose son, James, attends the school.
Also proud of the three grads were Mike Cornelius, a science and social-studies teacher; Carole Baniak, who teaches language arts and music; and Scott Adams, a behavioral consultant.
“He’s become a leader and someone others look up to,” Baniak said of Ferguson.
Paul J. Garchar Jr., Potential Development Center’s executive director, thanked the students’ parents and guardians for their trust and input regarding the school programs.
Casey Annico, the high school’s program coordinator, echoed similar sentiments, saying that school personnel also plan to follow up on the grads and, if necessary, help them find work.
“I feel that all three of these guys will go on to something great,” Annico said.
Making additional remarks was Jim Miller, a Potential Development board member.
The ceremony also recognized seven seventh-graders who received certificates for having completed their requirements at Potential Development’s School of Autism on East Indianola Avenue on the South Side. Those students will attend the high school in September.