A group of Gradway participants from the class of 2016 gather for a photo following their graduation program and luncheon. (Photos by Amanda McFarland)

WARSAW — As graduation approaches, high school seniors throughout Kosciusko County are planning for their futures. For 45 of these students, getting to go through commencement is an accomplishment they may not have otherwise had the chance to enjoy.

Gradway Coach Peter Barnett spoke about the program and how it is designed to help students graduate.

Tuesday afternoon, May 17, Gradway held its annual graduation ceremony and luncheon to celebrate this milestone in its seniors lives.

Founded in 2009, Gradway was designed to bring graduation coaches alongside local students who are at risk for dropping out. Gradway covers four school corporations, including Warsaw Community Schools, Wawasee Community Schools, Whitko Community Schools and Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation.

Graduation coaches work closely with the students, both in a classroom setting and one-on-one, helping with homework, giving encouragement or just listening.

“Sometimes, a positive role model is all you need,” Gradway Coach Peter Barnett said.

Barnett spoke about Gradway’s mission and offered words of encouragement and affirmation to the 28 grads who were able to make it to the event. He described what a typical class time may look like, with different topics like anger management, stress, emotional awareness, mindfulness, thankfulness or stress.

Gradway Director Brittany Lyon introduced each speaker.

Students are also encouraged to express themselves through journaling or choosing songs with meaningful lyrics to listen to. Barnett communicates with parents and keeps up with students’ grades, making sure they are working hard to pass.

“We have seen statistics on what happens when they don’t graduate,” Barnett said. “That’s the reason why we’re here.”

Barnett gave two anonymous, real-life examples of students who have been in the program. One, a sophomore facing low math skills and drugs in the home, the other a freshman and teen mom. Both have brought their grades up and are doing much better, he said.

“He is looking at classes he can turn into a career,” Barnett said. Of the freshman, he said, “I think she’s doing incredibly well and I’m just encouraged by that.”

Gradway donor Ot Schroeder also spoke briefly. He named some of the local businesses, organizations and individuals who are sponsoring the program.

“There are a lot of people in this community who want to see you succeed,” he told the students.

He advised students not to burn bridges after they leave high school, saying they never know when, in the future, they may need a letter of recommendation or a transcript or something else their high school can help them with. He also advised them to pay it forward.

“That can be as simple as talking to a brother or sister and encouraging them to graduate or go on to college,” he said.

Between the four school corporations and four grade levels, there are currently around 200 students participating in Gradway’s program. Whitko Superintendent Steve Clason commented on the success of his school’s students who have gone through the program.

“My wish for them is they find something that makes them happy and passionate and that they enjoy life because they deserve it for the hard work they’ve done,” he said.

Of the graduates present during the event, three were from Whitko, 14 were from Tippecanoe Valley and seven were from Wawasee. Warsaw schools do not currently have seniors in the program. There are also 18 graduation coaches.