‘PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE BREEZE 2009 graduates Danny Brewster, Chris Walker and Jovanny Figueroa.

The Goodwill L.I.F.E. Academy’s graduation may have been one of the smallest ceremonies in Lee County, but it was also one of the most heartwarming. The L.I.F.E. Academy is a Lee County charter school for students with developmental disabilities.

On Thursday, June 4, the Goodwill L.I.F.E. Academy celebrated the commencement of the school’s 2009 graduates. The graduating class-just four students-was the largest in the school’s four-year history.

The four graduates bring the total number of L.I.F.E. Academy graduates to nine in the school’s brief history.

Dr. Elinor Scricca of the Lee County School Board awarded exceptional student education curriculum diplomas to Anthony Acovski, Daniel Brewster, Jovanny Figueroa, and Christopher Walker. Before distributing their diplomas, Scricca addressed the parents of the L.I.F.E. Academy students, and particularly to its class of 2009. “I want to thank you,” she said, “for sending your sons and daughters to us so that we could be with them to help them succeed.”

Rather than having a commencement speaker, the school asked last year’s graduates, Lina Caldas and Brady Raulerson, to address the graduation audience. “I will miss you,” Caldas said to the class of 2009, “and do not forget to come back to see us.”

Raulerson echoed the sentiment in his brief speech.

“Thank you teachers, thank you friends, and I love all you graduates,” he said.

The Goodwill L.I.F.E. Academy is a tuition-free Lee County public charter school which helps to transition young adults with developmental disabilities into post-school adult living. The school’s curriculum provides training in life skills, functional academics, and vocational/workforce skills. In order to provide its graduates with vocational training and life experience, Goodwill guarantees at least one year of employment to graduates of the Goodwill L.I.F.E. Academy.

The L.I.F.E. Academy is currently enrolling students with special needs for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Contact Principal Lynn Pottorf at 334-4434.