CRESTVIEW — It may have only been five students, but for teachers, support staff and administrators, Richbourg E.S.E. School’s class of 2016 was a milestone.
See a photo gallery of Richbourg's graduation ceremony>>
It was the special-needs school’s largest class in its six-year history.
“This school’s proven itself worthy to have children here to receive love and nurturing,” Okaloosa School District board member Cathy Thigpen said during Friday morning’s graduation ceremony. “Parents, thank you for your trust.”
For Laura Lutrell, entrusting her son, Jacob, to Richbourg’s caring staff was simple.
“He loves it here,” Lutrell said. “The faculty and staff are absolutely amazing. They go above and beyond every day. They’re excellent, not just in education but in preparing them for future jobs and long-term after they leave.”
Jacob, who was one of the school’s first on-the-job training students, said he looks forward to continuing his love of working in food service and plans to attend Pensacola State College’s culinary arts program.
Jacob’s classmates, Shyhem Campbell, said after his education at Richbourg, he’s ready to face the world.
“I want to get a job, go to college and have a full life,” he said.“I’m going to study art. That’s been my huge dream: to do computer art.”
But, first things first, Shyhem needs that job “to make enough money to buy a new computer,” he said. “Mine broke.”
And as for his teachers at Richbourg, “I like them all.”
“Our students change our lives every day,” Principal Nicole Rickmon said. “They teach us something new every day.”
The Richbourg E.S.E. School class of 2016 is the special needs school’s largest graduating class in its five-year history.
●Shyhem Lamar Campbell
●Teague Orion DeCoeur
●Jacob Anthony Luttrell
●Janae Rose Momany
●Lily Reeana Murph
MEET THE LIONS' CLASS OF 2016
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Richbourg graduates largest class in 5 years (PHOTOS)