It was an emotional moment for parents of Special Learning Center students as their children walked across the school's playground during a Thursday graduation ceremony in Jefferson City.
Teachers spoke about the individual students while one by one they stood on a wooden box, wearing little white caps and gowns. They were recognized for their improvements, accomplishments, friendships, hugs, love for animals and pancake-eating abilities.
Rosemary Frank, mother of graduate Maggie Colombo, said after her daughter's two years at the Special Learning Center, it will be hard to leave. Colombo, 5, was diagnosed with skeletal dysplasia, a condition that slows her bone growth and delayed her speech. Not only did she receive speech therapy, but also occupational therapy and a pre-kindergarten education.
"I'm really sad that this is it," Frank said. "She can't go here for the next 15 years of her life, but they are so great here."
When Colombo first started attending the SLC, Frank said her daughter was intimidated, but she's blossomed into a child with confidence. The Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce honored Colombo, recognizing the young girl as the 2015-16 Outstanding Youth Leadership award. Tami Kirchner, SLC teacher, nominated Colombo for her big heart and willingness to help others.
"She displays a kind, loving, friendly personality through her action and words," Kirchner said in her nomination letter. "For example, when at recess, Maggie always takes the time to talk to her non-mobile friends who are in wheelchairs. She chooses to spend her recess time talking to children, holding their hands and walking with them on the playground."
Debbie Hamler, SLC executive director for 30 years, said graduation is always a bittersweet time for her and the staff.
"We've had some of these children since they were infants, that's a long time," she said. "We're very vested in the kids."
The SLC makes sure to keep in touch after graduation, Hamler said. She's watched graduates grow up to attend college, become engineers, earn employment and maintain a position with Capitol Projects, the Jefferson City sheltered workshop for adults with disabilities.
There were 24 students when Hamler started with the SLC. That number has increased to 600, graduating 25 who will move onto kindergarten in Jefferson City and surrounding areas.
One of those graduating children was Autumn Casados, a 5-year-old girl from California. Diagnosed with non-verbal autism, she started attending the SLC in 2013. Since, she's experienced milestones in her development, said her mother, Sarah Woodall, who also described the SLC staff as "amazing."
Casados' future is brighter thanks to the SLC, she said.
"They did so much for her," Woodall said. "When she started, she was only saying three words and now she says over 300 words, and she can actually make full sentences."