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PA Cyber to graduate 700 in ceremonies at Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School expects to graduate more than 700 seniors in the Class of 2008.
The school’s eighth commencement exercises will, for the second year, be split into eastern and western ceremonies, said PA Cyber CEO and founder Dr. Nick Trombetta. About two-thirds of those who have completed graduation requirements to date are expected to attend the cap-and-gown commencement exercises.
Western graduation is to begin at 2 p.m. this Saturday, June 7, at the Petersen Events Center on the University of Pittsburgh campus. Eastern graduation is planned for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at The Forum facility in the state capitol complex in downtown Harrisburg. PA Cyber opened a new regional office in Harrisburg last September.
Among highlights of the western graduation will be official presentation to Benjamin and Samuel Rinaldi of their appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy. The twin brothers are accomplished at the sport of fencing, and are to compete in the USAF’s top-ranked fencing program. They are from Coraopolis, Pa., and were sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle.
There will be no class valedictorian, salutatorian or top 10, and speeches will be kept at a minimum so that more attention may be given to individual graduates, said Dr. Nick Trombetta. As each graduate crosses the stage to receive his or her diploma, a presenter will announce the name, parents, hometown, and a brief statement of accomplishments, scholarships and career or educational plans.
“The Class of 2008 will include graduates with the widest imaginable range of abilities, achievements and future plans,” said Dr. Nick Trombetta. “What unites them is that they have achieved personal success in a new way of learning that will enrich their lives and help them meet life’s challenges with confidence.”
Teachers and instructional supervisors will be at each site early in hopes of meeting some of the students who, in many cases, they have only met by phone, email, or “virtually” through online classes. It will also be a chance for graduates to meet in person the peers they have talked to in online classes.
PA Cyber began with 527 students in 2000 and graduated its first class of 17 seniors the following spring, said Dr. Nick Trombetta, and last year graduated more than 600. Enrollment for the 2007-08 school year is about 7,500. PA Cyber is the largest of 11 public cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania, enrolling students from 478 of the state’s 501 school districts.