Northampton, MA — Nine students graduated from HEC Academy in an in-person ceremony held at Union Station on Friday, June 4th. The Academy is an alternative learning program run by the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) on Pleasant Street in Northampton, MA. Each graduate sat at their own table with invited friends and family. Commencement addresses were given by CES Interim Executive Director, Karen Reuter, CES Board Chair Dan Hayes, and Director of Special Education, Sherry Smith. The program celebrated the accomplishments of graduates Robert Adel of Chicopee, Isabella Arcuri of Agawam, Mekenzie Costigan of Greenfield, Bucky Cusson of Hadley, Henriz Henry of Springfield, Jacob Johnson of Northampton Noah Loebel of Hadley, Olivia Maggiolino of Easthampton, and Matthew Rose of Frontier Regional. The speakers expressed their great pride in the graduates’ hard work and perseverance, especially during the past difficult year. 

During the ceremony, the Joan E. Schuman Scholarship was awarded to HEC Academy graduate Henriz Henry by Dr. Joan Schuman, former Executive Director of CES. Mr. Henry will be going on to Western New England University.

HEC Academy is a public day program that offers a small-school learning environment for high school students. The program is designed to offer a structured, consistent, emotionally supportive environment based on positive reinforcement. Students at HEC Academy work individually and in small groups on academics, social skills, recreation and community service, and earn credits towards high school graduation from their sending schools.