The Air of Success

From the multiple Mount Prospect Academy programs throughout New Hampshire, this year’s graduates totaled seventeen (17). As a group they are diversified by age, gender, ability, personality, hopes, desires, and dreams. Yet together they are united by maturity and determination, confidence, and adaptability. They arrived together on these graduation days having emerged from personal hardships, overcoming adversity, and risen above learning difficulties to don the vibrant blue “Cap and Gown” of Mount Prospect.

 

One keynote speaker, the famous skiing personality Dan Egan, told attendees of his life’s great successes, and of his great personal struggles. He explained to the graduates that life’s “path for most is hardly ever straight”, but to seize life, “to take chances on their hopes and dreams, to be relentless in reaching their goals.” In a message that resounded with those assembled, he urged graduates to always continue to move forward and make life something worth pursuing, no matter the twists and turns that may appear.

 

 

 

Another speaker, a recent Mount Prospect graduate, made clear the value of their achievement at Mount Prospect Academy. His candid, deliberate, and personalized message to the graduates was that “we are normal.” He emphasized that while MPA schools are different, and the students’ individual challenges can be unique – they are not dissimilar to the experience of any number of teens. In his view, the steadfast connections with staff, the opportunity to focus on both his academics and his well-being, plus the small class sizes and creative learning pathways offered at MPA were the keys to his current success.

 

In their time at MPA the graduates of 2024 left their mark. MPA Faculty spoke compassionately of the students as individuals. They spoke of the graduate who saved their money to collect sneakers, and the graduate who had a sweet tooth for gourmet chocolate- of the graduate who was a “people person” and conversationalist, to the graduate who enjoyed the great freeing feeling of ice skating. They spoke of the graduate who could repair anything mechanical that had been broken, and the graduate whose painting and drawing abilities led him to design and direct a school-wide art lesson. They spoke of the graduate whose writing ability was distinct from a young age, and who had just recently completed an Advanced Placement Course in Writing at UNH. They spoke of another whose motivation had led to them graduating early, and they spoke of those graduates who found purpose showed and integrity by offering support to their schoolmates that were struggling.

From the north campuses of Pike, Plymouth, and the Karen Langley Learning Center, of the twelve graduates, many have already entered the workforce while students, others are enrolled in Automotive and HVAC Tech Programs, and one will be attending Plymouth State University in the fall.

From Ashuelot Valley Academy, Keene, of the four graduates, two have plans to pursue careers in the medical field, another in construction, and the last graduate plans to use their artistic abilities to open a tattoo studio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Squamscott River Academy, Hampton, the graduate will be attending UNH to study Criminal Justice and Psychology.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For each, their time at MPA is noteworthy for the special talents found and nurtured in a safe supportive environment where their pasts may linger but their life began to blossom.

MPA Principals and Directors noted that while the MPA graduates of 2024 have built the ‘hard’ skill sets applicable to ensure independent living, career readiness, and/or to continue formal educational pursuits, they have also shown themselves to have acquired the ‘soft’ skill sets that bring an important social-emotional balance to their lives. “They have learned social skills, to express and manage their feelings and emotions, to develop and maintain caring relationships, and to begin to understand and create their own identities.” One last time, they told the graduates of the need to stay true to themselves and to be diligent in their efforts beyond the boundaries of Mount Prospect Academy.

The connectivity and sense of community forged by the graduates with their schools was self-evident to any observer of the ceremonies. The mixture of tears and smiles from fellow students, the lingering hugs from MPA Faculty, and the emotional and enthusiastic reactions from siblings and families was an inspirational reminder for those in attendance of the journey each graduate took to get here this day.

We wish the Mount Prospect Academy Graduates of 2024 the greatest luck in all their future pursuits, knowing that their time with us, however brief, was time well spent, the goals achieved, and the dreams created.

CONGRATULATIONS to the Mount Prospect Academy Graduates of 2024!!!