15 years later, and now a graduate
By Samantha Cooperrider
Published: May 21, 2009
Damion Childs returned to the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School recently to earn a high school diploma, 15 years after the high school class of which he was a member had departed. With the help of guidance counselors Mary MacDonald and Rebecca Amos and teacher Katharine Kavanagh, Mr. Childs completed successfully the government class that he had lacked in 1994.
When Mr. Childs decided to follow his passion for cooking by attending a culinary school to become a chef, he discovered that he could not attend without a high school diploma.
Mr. Childs called Ms. MacDonald to discuss re-taking the government course. Ms. MacDonald called Katharine Kavanagh, and together they where able to arrange an independent study at the Rebecca Amos Institute.
"It had been in the making for a little while," said Ms. MacDonald. "Katharine Kavanagh really got him going. She has known Damion since his childhood and was happy and willing to help him achieve his dream. The work was not easy, and he wasn't given any slack. He put in a lot of effort and worked very hard to complete the course and pass the final exam."
"I definitely could not have done it without Mary and Katharine. I'm very grateful," said Mr. Childs.
Two weeks ago, principal Stephen Nixon presented Damion with his diploma during a brief ceremony in the high school's guidance office.
Samantha Cooperrider is a student at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School.
