Graduates of the Simon Youth Foundation recently received their diplomas in Burlington, as family and friends looked on.
This is the third graduation ceremony held by the Foundation, and this one took place at Burlington High School. In addition to friends and families of the graduates, the management team from the Burlington Mall was also at the event to wish the students well. Banner printing is often used to create colorful decorations to enhance the venue for events like this.
The Simon Youth Foundation runs a number of Youth Academies across the country, most in Simon Malls. The academies are designed to help at-risk young people, who might otherwise drop out of school, to get their education a different way. The academies are nontraditional schools that have small classes, personalized support, and one-on-one methods of learning, all offered in a flexible environment.
Graduates of the academies receive their diplomas from their local school district, because each academy enters into a partnership with the district and acts as an extension of the system. The local academy is in Burlington High School. One graduate was honored by Burlington Mall and the Foundation, earning an $8,000 scholarship to work toward a post-secondary degree.
Graduates join the SYF Alumni Network that now has over 17,000 graduates as members. Through their connections with other alumni, young people can explore professional opportunities.
