Clad in Falcon blue caps and gowns, Katrina Blansett, Matthew Gordon, Brandon Merchant, Bailey Niedzwiecki, and Dakota Sommerfeld walked down the center aisle in the packed Pied Piper gymnasium to receive their diplomas to uproarious applause from friends, family, staff members, fellow students, and community supporters.

Pied Piper Principal Larry Johns welcomed attendees, followed by speeches by Justin Gluesing, superintendent of the Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District, and Mary Zann, director of special education for AMA ESD.

“I have the best job in the state of Michigan,” Gluesing said in his speech. “I say that because I can feel it in my heart … I’ve attended many graduation ceremonies over the years, and you rarely see as many of the faculty and staff return for graduations like this.”

He then pointed out the large group of transportation staff in attendance, who received a round of applause from the audience.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Bailey Niedzwiecki riles up the crowd on Friday afternoon at Pied Piper School’s graduation ceremony.

“You don’t see that,” he continued. “So, I think all of us, in person, gathered today recognize and know what a special place we are in.”

Gluesing addressed the students and staff, saying, “You make me a better person. You inspire me.”

He then thanked all the families for their support of their students and everyone at Pied Piper School.

“I want to wish my very best to the graduates as they move forward,” Gluesing said.

Zann said the students have worked very hard to get to graduation day.

“They show up to Pied Piper ready to learn and grow, and it is amazing to be a part of this family,” Zann said. “We will miss their smiles, their high-fives, and their incredible personalities next year. Bailey, Brandon, Dakota, Katrina, and Matthew, remember that you’ll always hold a special place in our hearts, and you will forever be a Pied Piper Falcon.”

She continued, “Congratulations on your graduation. Hold your head high, and be proud of the hard work that you’ve accomplished at Pied Piper, because we are so proud of you.”

After Zann spoke, Special Education Teachers Johanna Evans and Tina DenBleyker shared the podium and helped Johns with presenting diplomas.

“We would like to thank you for the neverending support that you have provided your students throughout their time with us as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives,” Evans said. “They are ready to take on this amazing journey that we call life. It is bittersweet that we say goodbye to them, but we can’t help but be excited for them, and what comes next.”

DenBleyker explained that “what comes next” is determined by “the power of choice.”

“The power of choice is also demonstrated by various vocational paths chosen by our graduates,” DenBleyker told attendees. “Some graduates will be working part-time at local businesses, some are looking to run businesses from their homes, while others will be volunteering throughout their communities.”

She added that each graduate is unique, and has a special purpose.

“Each of our graduating students has a different story to tell,” DenBleyker said, turning to the graduates. “You are all a part of a beautiful story, and will be for years to come.”

The five smiling graduates each accepted their diplomas individually on stage, then turned their tassels together. After another huge round of applause, they dispersed to their friends and family members for a few minutes before heading outside to throw their caps in the air in celebration of a great accomplishment.

“Ceremony is important, to recognize the accomplishments of each student,” Gluesing said after the program. “Every one of these students is so unique in their talents and abilities, and where they head from here, and it’s so important to gather as a community and really celebrate all they’ve accomplished.”

He again noted the wonderful turnout of caring people, including the bus drivers, who made time to attend the ceremony.

“What I’ve been thinking about, in preparing for the ceremony, is the relationships over the life of these students who have been in this building, some, for over 20 years,” Johns stated. “You have teachers who have invested their lives into the students, so it’s that caring relationship, and how that relationship impacts their development, and that that relationship doesn’t end because they’re no longer the student. They still have that caring affiliation, and that connection, and that’s why they come back, even when they’re retired and have gone on with their life, they come back to see their friends. They form friendships. And it’s through those friendships, those relationships, that meaningful learning happens. And it happens here in spades. The caring relationship is a key ingredient.”

Johns added that graduation day is a celebration of each person individually.

“I always think about how they are a complete human, like anybody else in the community,” Johns said. “Sometimes, they get marginalized because of the challenges they might have, but they love life like we do, and so we’re honoring that life, giving them full meaning that they deserve to have celebrated and recognized.”