Ready, Set, Graduate! CIS of Eastern PA Celebrates Over 100 Graduating High School Seniors

Even as COVID-19 restrictions prevented Communities In Schools (CIS) of Eastern Pennsylvania from bringing together students and families to celebrate its annual Ready, Set, Graduate! event together in-person, CIS Site Coordinators still found special ways to recognize the CIS Class of 2021 as they prepare to toss their caps.

CIS Coordinators from nine local high schools celebrated over 100 high school seniors with special Ready, Set, Graduate! activities that recognized the CIS students' unique resiliency and determination in overcoming the nonacademic roadblocks in their way during one of the most challenging school years on record.

Explore highlights from our various Ready, Set, Graduate! celebrations below and join us in congratulating the CIS Class of 2021! Watch the CIS Ready, Set, Graduate! Celebration Video HERE.

This year's Ready, Set, Graduate! events were sponsored by PPL Corporation!

Allentown School District

William Allen High School:

The CIS team at William Allen High School brought together their graduating high school seniors for a Ready, Set, Graduate! lunch event at Allentown's Bell Hall. The event included remarks from Allentown School District school board directors Phoebe D. Harris and Cheryl L. Johnson-Watts as well as William Allen High School Principal Shannon M. Mayfield. Students celebrated their achievements over lunch while CIS Site Coordinator Dolly Amaro and CIS Support Specialist Barley Melcher presented students with special awards.

Dieruff High School

CIS Student Support Specialist Kristin Horoski celebrated the CIS Class of 2021 by visiting graduates and delivering their certificates, custom CIS graduation stoles, and some surprise gifts.

Building 21

CIS Site Coordinator Heather also celebrated Ready, Set, Graduate by recognizing students' resiliency and determination.

"As a CIS Site Coordinator, I enjoy graduation because I get to celebrate with our students and families. I enjoy seeing the students get to the finish line, especially knowing some of the obstacles that they have overcome," said Heather Annunziata, CIS Site Coordinator at Allentown School District's Building 21. I love reminiscing with students about how much they have grown mentally and emotionally since the start of them becoming a part of CIS. I am the proud “ School Mom”, their biggest fan and most of all, the caring adult that they can count on."

Bethlehem School District

CIS Site Coordinator at Freedom High School, Naomy Diaz Sierra and Site Coordinator at Liberty High School, Nancy Ettwein celebrated graduating seniors with a Ready, Set, Graduate lunch and some surprises to recognize their hard work and accomplishments.

Easton Area School District

The CIS team at Easton Area High School brought together their gradating seniors, families, and the school's faculty & staff to celebrate during a Ready, Set, Graduate! event in the school's auditorium. Event speakers included Principal Kyle Geiger and CIS President & CEO Tim Mulligan followed by a special message to the graduates from CIS Alumna Mia Schenck ( EAHS Class of 2018). The CIS graduates also recognized a special administrator at the high school who they felt helped them persevere during the school year. The honor went to 12th grade assistant principal Mrs. Deidre Hakimi.

The CIS team at the high school, made up of Site Coordinator Elise Symia and Support Specialist Mike Raymond and Kayla Smith-Banos worked with students' families to create a CIS Yearbook, which included special words of congratulations, photos, and memories from students time with CIS.

East Penn School District

CIS Site Coordinator at Emmaus High School, Amy Williams created a special drive-through Ready, Set, Graduate experience for students and families to stop by the high school and celebrate their achievements while students were presented with their custom CIS graduation stoles and more.

"Graduation is so special for these students because they have proven to themselves that they can overcome challenges to achieve their goals," shared Amy Williams, CIS Site Coordinator at Emmaus High School. "I hope they recognize how resilient and strong they are. It is meaningful to me because of the relationships we have developed; I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know and work with all of them."

Wilson School District

CIS Site Coordinator at Wilson High School (Berks County), Courtney Stunz celebrated graduates at the school by delivering their custom CIS graduation stoles and certificates.

This inaugural Ready, Set, Graduate! celebration at Wilson High School is extra special as it recognizes the first students to graduate while in CIS' programs since the organization began serving the high school in 2020.

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute

CIS Site Coordinator at LCTI, Susan Badu celebrated over 15 graduating seniors with Ready, Set, Graduate! certificates, custom CIS graduation stoles, and more, recognizing them for their hard work after an extra challenging school year.

Congratulations to the CIS Class of 2021! Watch our Ready, Set, Graduate 2021 video below: