AUSTINTOWN — High school graduation is a special time for every student, but this year at one Austintown school, students got one-of-a-kind ceremonies.

On Wednesday afternoon, Kenny Martin and Ryan Meloy, both in their 20s, were two of the seven graduates of Leonard Kirtz School who received their diplomas, with families and teachers watching from a social distance.

Leonard Kirtz School offers programs for school-age children with developmental disabilities.

Vicki Hoskin, an intervention specialist for the school, said that it took the pandemic and not seeing her students to show her the meaning of the end-of-year rite of passage.

“I never realized it until this year what graduation means to me as a teacher,” Hoskin said.

“It’s the closure. It’s my time to say goodbye. It’s my time to know it’s the end with these guys, but I have to say goodbye,” she said.

Bill Whitacre, superintendent of the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities, said there is an annual graduation, but this year individual “ceremonies” were coordinated with each graduate’s families in response to the pandemic, juggling Ohio Department of Education guidelines with CDC recommendations and what each family and student was comfortable doing.

Following a few weeks’ worth of discussion with teachers and administration, Whitacre said the diploma presentations, which were scheduled over a span of a few days and lasting about 10 minutes to a half hour, were made possible.

“That way, kids get their moment in the sun,” he said.

Some years, as was the case last year, there is only one student graduating.

A dinner at a restaurant is usually planned, but this year, Whitacre said the pandemic led to a different course.

Teachers compiled montages for students and parades were organized, all spaced over a period of time rather than one day.

Kenny Martin of Struthers, was joined by family, including his mom Jill Drajic, as well as teachers and his case manager, Dawn Weir.

“I’m happy (the school) did something for the kids to make their day special,” Drajic said.

“It’s a special day for him and a special day for me, even though things are a little different for us,” she said.

Kenny, who is autistic, went around personally greeting everyone who attended his celebration, as Drajic said that for the most part during the pandemic, it was just she and him.

“He’s a people person,” she said.

A half hour after Kenny graduated, Ryan Meloy received his diploma. Parents Marilee and Mike, and sister Ellayna, joined Ryan for his graduation.

Coming from North Lima, the matriarch said she was “hoping it wouldn’t rain,” as the chance for a shower loomed in the forecast. Ryan has been a student at the school since he was about 9 months old, Meloy said. He now will attend the Javit Court location of the MCBDD.

Finality was given to an unpredictable school year, as reflected in conversation by those who attended the two graduations Wednesday.

“This year wasn’t the way it should be,” Hoskin said. “These kids fought the good fight” this year.

afox@tribtoday.com