Congratulations to the class of 2021. This has been a challenging year for students of all ages and we are proud of all the young people we support have accomplished and feel privileged to be part of your journey.
Here are just a few stories about our awesome seniors and their future plans:
Brooklyn Grady, Granville High School
“Senior year has been a roller coaster ride for Brooklyn, but she has enjoyed every moment of it. Her senior year has been filled with typical classroom settings mixed with her work experiences with Bruce Piper and the C-TEC I-TEC program. She has learned valuable skills while partnering with local businesses and enjoyed the program.
Her year was filled with masks and health mandates, but she managed to have fun and make the best of it like everyone else. She was elected to the Granville High School Senior Prom Court and attended prom with some amazing friends for the first time ever. Prom was an evening of pictures, dinner, dancing and fun, and at the end of the evening, Brooklyn was announced as this year’s GHS Senior Prom Queen! She was thrilled beyond words and is so thankful for her amazing classmates who have been so supportive of her over the years.
Brooklyn loves all music, and her favorite group is Maddie & Tae, a young country music duo who she listens to constantly. She received a huge surprise when Maddie & Tae sent her a personal video message congratulating her on being crowned prom queen. She declared it the best day of her life!
Brooklyn continues to attend weekly equine therapy training with Susan Ginise at Hope Farm in Granville and it’s the highlight of her week. She also loves to do diamond art, which is a hobby where you stick diamond jewels onto a pattern to look like a mosaic. She loves to spend time with her two best friends, our family dogs Miles and Sampson.
Brooklyn is looking forward to the summer and traveling to see family and friends. She has applied to the Licking Memorial Project SEARCH program for next year and is looking forward to the many opportunities ahead.”
— Written by Brooklyn’s mom, Michelle Cunningham.
Eliana Hansen, Granville High School
Eliana was born in China and came to the United States at age 13, when she was adopted by her family in Granville.
Her years in Granville schools involved learning to speak English and adjust to American culture.
Eliana likes to listen to music, take care of her dog, watch movies and run track.
Her plans after high school include participating in Project SEARCH at Licking Memorial Hospital.
Nicole Waters, Watkins Memorial High School
Upon the completion of Project SEARCH, Nicole accepted a job at Licking Memorial Hospital in their physical therapy facility. She is hoping to work for a few years and then start college with the ultimate goal of working in the field of early childhood education, or as a teachers aide.
Connor Hess, Haugland Learning Center
Connor Hess is a 2021 graduate of Haugland Learning Center. His hobbies include making YouTube videos, photography and landscaping.
He also competes with Licking County Special Olympics, where he does power lifting and track, and he will be on the bowling team this year.
Connor has been accepted into the EveryBody Works Program at Ohio Dominican University, and he will be attending this fall.
Photos and information provided by the families of the graduates.