The Culpeper County Public Schools Start on Success (SOS) program held its third annual end of year celebration on Friday, May 10, 2024 to recognize the accomplishments of the students throughout the year and to thank the community who supported them.
Five students were recognized during the lunchtime celebration at CTEC including Olivia Reese, Danasia “Tobi” Lee, Teleya Gourdine, Brooke Bell, and Thomas Zoller. Other attendees included the students’ families and teachers, CCPS School Board Members, CCPS Executive Director of Human Resources Michelle Metzgar, CCPS Interim Director of Special Education Jennifer Burriss, members of the CCPS Special Education Department, representatives from the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) and the Culpeper Parks and Recreation team who worked with the students at the Fieldhouse.
During the celebration, teacher Kim Bledsoe presented a slideshow with highlights of the students’ journey this year through the highly structured school-to-work program. She explained activities that the students completed to learn important skills of the program including workplace ethics, conflict resolution, interview skills and workplace safety. Students also planned and implemented different Parks and Rec programs including preschool programs and trivia for seniors.
Bledsoe shared that in the third year of the SOS program, there were several new elements as they continue to make improvements each year. This year was the first year to include students from both high schools together. Also, this year, the program started at the Parks and Recreation Field House from day one, where in the past, the beginning of the course in the first semester was taught at the base schools. Bledsoe and the students reflected on their van rides from the schools to the Field House and how that added a new element of adventure to the program. In addition to working at the field house, the SOS students also volunteered in the preschool program at Sycamore Park Elementary once each week.
At the end of the event, Culpeper Parks and Recreation Director Andrew Hardy, Recreation Manager Holly Binkert and Office Manager April Coffey shared that they truly enjoyed watching the students grow and develop their skills and try new things that challenged their comfort levels throughout the year. They told the students that even though they will no longer be interns, the Parks and Rec staff will always be there to support them.
Start on Success teacher Kim Bledsoe summed it up by saying, “I’m truly proud of each and every one of the young men and women graduating this year! They each started the program not knowing what to expect. Not only did they meet the expectations, they thrived and excelled! They didn’t back down from any challenge presented and explored opportunities outside their comfort zones. This group of young men and women started out as classmates, but became co-workers, supporting each other along the way. This group has raised the bar for next year!”
These students will be graduating on Saturday, May 18, 2024, and this program has given them many skills and tools to take with them as they embark on their next steps.
Culpeper County Public Schools congratulates these students for all of their accomplishments and thanks the community partners who make this program possible.
About Start on Success
The CCPS Start on Success program is a collaboration coordinated by the VCU Center on Transition Innovations (CTI), Culpeper County Public Schools, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) and local businesses. In the program, students learn how to build and strengthen their employment skills by applying the skills and knowledge taught in the classroom while working in a paid internship with a local business.