A Very Special Graduation
Zachary Hylka graduated a day earlier than his peers from Batavia High School … and he got his diploma in the choir room!
Zach is a senior in the Vocational Transition Program at Batavia High School and was diagnosed with autism at an early age. His parents weren’t sure that he would be able to handle the enormity of the graduation ceremony at Northern Illinois University.
When Zach’s VTP teacher Julie Preziosio heard that he wouldn’t be attending the NIU ceremony, she thought about having a celebration for Zach at the end of the school year. After brainstorming with other teachers, including Zach’s Adaptive PE Teacher Sarah McEwen and his Choir Director Peter Barsch, who leads the “BFF Choir” (part of the VTP curriculum), it was decided to create a mini graduation ceremony for Zach in the choir room. His teachers, former teachers, family, fellow VTP students, BHS Choir members, and his Peer Partners all came to celebrate. And what a celebration it was!
The graduation included all of the parts of a traditional graduation—processional, national anthem, pledge of allegiance, opening remarks, graduate remarks, distribution of diplomas, closing remarks, recessional—but also had one special bonus. After the ceremony, Zach, his family, and VTP students were treated to a reception featuring Portillo’s—Zach’s favorite!
It was incredibly moving to hear students and teachers share the impact that Zach and his family have had on them. His infectious smile, positive attitude, athleticism, and superior social skills were brought up several times. During the ceremony, Zach also said a few remarks using his AAC device. His message was beautiful. His speech and language pathologist, Linda Saflarski, who has been with Zach throughout his time at BHS, was so proud!
BPS101 Assistive Technologist Jocelyn Kotrba created this slideshow to celebrate Zach’s academic, athletic, and musical achievements while a student at BPS101. Here’s the reaction of some of his friends when they previewed the video a few minutes prior to the ceremony:
Zach started in the Early Childhood program, which, at that time, was housed at Grace McWayne. His teachers were Karen Nellis and Susan Jones, who now both teach at the Early Childhood Center at Alice Gustafson Elementary School. Zach went on to H.C. Storm school where he met one of his teachers Lisa Palese, who is now the Director of Student Services at BPS101, and his paraprofessional Julie Stuttle, who is now the administrative assistant for the BHS Athletic Department. Mrs. Palese had the honor of presenting Zach with his high school diploma in the choir room. Mrs. Stuttle was in the audience right behind Zach’s family … with a few tissues.
After H.C. Storm, Zach was a student at Rotolo Middle School. There, he met many more friends and had Barbara Mamach as a teacher for all three years in what is now the Individualized Learning Program (ILP). His most recent chapter is the BHS Vocational Transition Program, where he has widened his circle of friends even more and has another dream team of teachers and support professionals.
No doubt, Zach will be missed by all of his teachers and peers, but everyone is excited for his next chapter.
Congratulations to Zach on graduation and all of his achievements leading up to this celebration!
