Potential Development honors 10th graduating class

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Seniors clad in caps and gowns received their diplomas Friday morning as Potential Development honored its tenth graduating class at Stambaugh Auditorium.

Fourteen students walked across the stage to officially mark the final chapter of their high school stories. Family members and faculty were also on hand to enjoy the celebration.

This brings the number of Pirate alumni to just shy of 100 for the school, which started 10 years ago to help students with autism and developmental disabilities.

Some of the seniors already have big plans for after graduation.

“One of our seniors wrote a children’s book, had it published on Amazon,” said Paul Garchar, Potential Development CEO. “She’s in the process of writing a second book. We’ve had some students this year go straight into the workforce. So they’re going to be doing great things in the future.”

Two seniors addressed the crowd during the ceremony, including Preston Foster — who spent 16 years with Potential Development. He thanked the staff and his fellow students for making his high school experience one he’ll never forget.

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