Saint Vincent graduation includes special needs students for first time

Program teaches academic, living, vocational skills

Zachary Dixon gave a triumphant fist-pump Saturday as he crossed the stage in cap and gown at Saint Vincent College’s commencement.

It was the first time that students in the college’s program for those with intellectual disabilities marched at commencement.

They did so at the insistence of their fellow classmates, and they received a standing ovation. young person with a disability

“It just seemed right,” is able to have a college Alaina D’Aloiso of Upper St. experience and graduate Clair, who graduated with a with his peers,” said Lynda degree in early childhood education, Dixon, Mr. Dixon’s mother. said of having the “Until two years ago, we did students in the transition to not have that expectation for adulthood program take Zach.” part in commencement. “It Bearcat BEST teaches was important … they reading and math skills to should be honored for completing support vocational opportunities their program.” for the students. It also

The five students completed teaches social and household Bearcat BEST — management skills Building Excellencesuch as cooking, laundry, through Skills Training — a cleaning and hygiene. In program that serves 18- to preparation to work with 21-year-olds who have intellectual provider agencies, the students disabilities such as learn to advocate for Down syndrome or autistic themselves. disorder. “The program was created

“This graduation day is so primarily to address special because not every concerns expressed by parents of students with disabilities in this area who felt that there just wasn’t any kind of programming for their students,” said the Rev. Philip Kanfush, director of the program at the college in Unity, near Latrobe.

Aided by student job coaches, those in the program work on campus in the library, bookstore, cafeteria, fitness center and elsewhere.

Miss D’Aloiso worked with four students at the bookstore and in housekeeping. The Rev. Philip Kanfush, director of the program at the college in Unity “At the beginning, I had to show them all the steps, and by the end [of the semester], I could step away,” she said.

Before completing the program, each Bearcat student does an externship, initially with a job coach, at a local business, such as Giant Eagle, Eat’n Park or Christ the Divine Teacher School.

Nick Sciullo, 22, of Latrobe, did his training program at My Fitness Kitchen weight management and fitness center.

“He wants to be a fitness coach and has always been into sports,” said his mother, Regina Sciullo, adding that her son, who has also helped at Saint Vincent’s Steelers training camp, will work at a local fitness club.

Father Kanfush said the students have been working at their community positions without job coaches since last month.

“Any time you put a support like that in place, your goal is to fade it out so that the individual is independent,” he said.

Saint Vincent graduate Anna Hillman of Williamsport said working with the Bearcat BEST students convinced her to minor in disabilities studies.

“I fell in love with the program,” she said. “Watching them become independent was really awesome.”

Ms. Dixon, of Level Green, said Bearcat BEST provided her 21-year-old son with positive interaction with the rest of the student body.

“He has developed friendships and experienced campus life, just like his peers.”

The Bearcat BEST students have, in turn, enriched the Saint Vincent community, Father Kanfush said.

“They basically came into the cafeteria the first week of school and just started sitting at tables with undergrads. And the undergrads stepped up and engaged them and they’ve become friends,” he said.

Once students complete the program, the staff at Saint Vincent will continue to work with families to help the students build portfolios to secure employment close to home. They will contact the families at intervals to collect data so they can statistically analyze the program.

“We don’t really know as a profession what really works, and it hasn’t gotten a lot of research attention. We are hoping to make a contribution here at Saint Vincent to filling that gap,” Father Kanfush said.

For Ms. Sciullo, the program has worked for her son.

“We are so excited Nick is reaching his goal,” she said, her voice catching. With his schooling ending, she said, “… adulthood starts, and he is so prepared for that.”