CHS grad completes Project Search

Posted

The cap. The gown. The anticipation. Graduates wait years for that one special day to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas.

For one Centennial High School grad, that day finally came on Wednesday, May 13.

Owen Kellogg graduated from Centennial and Project Search, a program that allows young adults with learning disabilities to work as interns in a real job setting.

Project Search works in conjunction with York General Health Care Services. Instead of sitting in a classroom all day, interns are placed in a variety of departments throughout the healthcare organization for three 10-week nonpaid internships that teach job skills.

This year’s five interns each received a Project Search certificate of completion and their diplomas after meeting all their schools’ graduation requirements.

The ceremony, held at the York General Hearthstone, honored Kellogg, Tyson Bassett of Fillmore Central, and Kirsten Stearns, Keely Wagner and Nathan Bestwick, all of York Public Schools.

“Owen seems to be a very focused young man,” said Dave Geiger, York General Hospital environmental services director.

Geiger worked with several of the interns in his department throughout the year, getting to know them as co-workers and friends.

“You guys have taught me a lot of things this year and I hope you’ve learned a lot,” Project Search director Nichole Wetjen told the graduates.

Wetjen thanked all those who had been a part of the Project Search program for their kindness and willingness to welcome the interns into the job world.

“The York General Health Care Services staff...they are role models for these young adults. They take time to talk with them and get to know them,” she said.

Centennial Superintendent Tim DeWaard presented Kellogg with his diploma, and Cathy Norquest of York General awarded him a Project Search certificate.

Kellogg completed his internships in the York General Hospital dietary department and the Hearthstone’s environmental services department. He plans to find a job in the Lincoln area.