A recent news article from The York Daily Record that describes a Pennsylvania homeschool graduation ceremony…

21 homeschool students became grads Saturday

by Theresa McMinn

Most high school graduations have similar programs. There’s usually a guest speaker, and final words to class members from a salutatorian and valedictorian. The graduating class is often presented as a whole and celebrated as a group. But Saturday’s York Home School Association graduation ceremony was unique. The event was a celebration of each student as an individual – their skills, talents, creativity and personality.

The students didn’t refer to themselves as a “class” but rather as “individual graduates.” And they had chosen their own colors for their caps and gowns.

More than 300 people attended the event, which featured York attorney Darryl Cunningham as master of ceremonies and was held at Grace Fellowship Church in North Codorus Township.

“Life tables” lined the church foyer hallways. Each of the 21 graduates had decorated a table with personal items including photos, awards and favorite books. It was sort of a 3-dimensional biography to represent their childhoods and futures.

“More and more families now are home schooling,” said Donna Botterbusch, the association’s public liaison. She and her husband, Robert, helped start the organization, which became incorporated in the early 1990s.

Saturday marked the group’s third graduation ceremony, and the number of graduates has nearly tripled in that time.

The students had seen each other through the years at various social and academic-based functions. “This is like a reunion,” Botterbusch said.

Rep. Todd Platts, R-York County, provided the graduates with motivational comments.

“Continue to be students,” he said. Education can lead to opportunities and happiness, Platts said. “And the greater your gift back to the community will be.”

Platts commended the home-school parents for doing and being devoted to a “hard job.”

The students individually expressed their thoughts and feelings about graduating. East Berlin resident Benjamin Wilkins sang “Amazing Love,” his mother’s favorite song.

Nathan Allison, of Red Lion, read a poem he wrote, and Wellsville resident Matthew Gochenauer gave a slide show presentation featuring music he wrote and performed.

Brittney Lewis, of Dover Township, used sign language to perform a contemporary Christian rock song.

About the Group: York Home School Association is a volunteer-run Christian support group that provides resources, including academic and social interaction with other parents and children with similar concerns and educational goals for home-schoolers and their families.