MCOE celebrates grads of Special Ed. transition program

By Jonathan Whitaker On May 24, 2024

There were plenty of smiles and tears of joy between family members, teachers and students during a commencement ceremony for the Class of 2024 graduates in the four-year Special Education Transition program provided by the Merced County Office of Education (MCOE).

Graduate Sierra Whitaker with her teacher Marci Gamble of the Wolfe Transition Center.

Transition education prepares these students for the changes and demands of life after high school. The primary goal is the development of independent living skills to the fullest degree possible. Many local special education students are offered support up to the age of 22.

MCOE operates the programs at various locations throughout the county, including the Wolfe Center in Merced, and Atwater Valley Community School in Atwater — where this year’s commencement ceremony was held.

This year’s Class of 2024 included 31 students who took part in an opening procession, individual tributes led by their teachers, and the handing out of gifts to their parents. Student Speaker George Diaz gave a moving speech in both English and Spanish, and quoted E.E. Cummings, à la “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”

Laura Fong, the assistant superintendent of MCOE Special Education, was on hand to give an address to the students and audience, as well as Steve Tietjen, the superintendent of county schools.