Step-Up Program Celebrates Graduation with Drive-By Parade
Date posted: May 26, 2020
![Stepping Stones Celebrates Student with Autism with Drive-By Graduation I Cincinnati, Ohio](https://steppingstonesohio.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/stepping-stones-autism-alternative-drive-by-graduation-cincinnati-robert-conley-224x300.jpg)
Kristen R. and Educational Aide Robert Conley together in program last year.
The Step-Up program was founded in 2004 and serves students with severe autism who have been unable to succeed in a typical classroom setting. Currently, the program serves students from 13 school districts – providing them with a unique, individualized education that helps them excel in their studies while increasing communication and functional living skills.
Traditionally, Step-Up celebrates a student’s graduation with a ceremony at our Given Campus in Indian Hill. Executive Director Chris Adams presents graduates with their certificate of completion before an audience of their fellow students, family and educators.
Unable to host an in-person graduation at this time, Educational Services Director Julie Howard got creative and found an alternative way to celebrate Kristen completing her high school education. She organized a parade over Memorial Day Weekend to commemorate the occasion, with our teachers and educational aides driving cars that read “Congratulations Kristen” and “Happy Graduation Kristen” past her house.
The graduation parade was a joyful celebration of Kristen and the tremendous progress she has made in her studies at Stepping Stones. It was also another way our program has successfully adapted and continued to provide the unique educational services we do – even from afar.
We offer a big congratulations to Kristen and wish her continued success in this next chapter of adulthood!
![Stepping Stones Celebrates Student with Autism with Drive-By Graduation I Cincinnati, Ohio](https://steppingstonesohio.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/stepping-stones-autism-alternative-drive-by-graduation-cincinnati-01.jpg)
The Step-Up Team ready for the parade past Kristen’s house.
![Stepping Stones Celebrates Student with Autism with Drive-By Graduation I Cincinnati, Ohio](https://steppingstonesohio.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/stepping-stones-autism-alternative-drive-by-graduation-cincinnati-04.jpg)
![Stepping Stones Celebrates Student with Autism with Drive-By Graduation I Cincinnati, Ohio](https://steppingstonesohio.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/stepping-stones-autism-alternative-drive-by-graduation-cincinnati-02.jpg)
![Stepping Stones Celebrates Student with Autism with Drive-By Graduation I Cincinnati, Ohio](https://steppingstonesohio.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/stepping-stones-autism-alternative-drive-by-graduation-cincinnati-03.jpg)
![Stepping Stones Celebrates Student with Autism with Drive-By Graduation I Cincinnati, Ohio](https://steppingstonesohio.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/stepping-stones-autism-alternative-drive-by-graduation-cincinnati-05-scaled-e1590523730231.jpg)