Taylor Bergman was the first to graduate from the Boca Raton Achievement Center. She is posing with her parents Jeff and Amy Bergman. BELOW RIGHT: Andrea Villeneuve reacts to the award she received at the ceremony. Photos provided
By Faran Fagen
As Pomp and Circumstance resonated from the speakers, Taylor Bergman, dressed in cap and gown, walked to the podium to receive her diploma and became Boca Raton Achievement Center’s first graduate.
Jennifer Borda, the center’s director and principal, cleared her throat and recited Bergman’s graduation speech to the audience.
“Welcome to my happy graduation,” she wrote. “Thank you all for believing in my ability to learn about life, education, opportunities, and for believing my intelligence and in me.”
Boca Raton Achievement Center, a nonprofit, special education school for students aged 11 to 22 with autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities, marked its first anniversary with a special awards ceremony in late May. It celebrated Bergman as the first graduate.
“Like most high school students, Taylor has overcome many challenges to complete her schooling,” BRAC founder and executive director Evelyn Falconer said. “Unlike most students, Taylor uses writing to communicate. But, thanks to a solid individual plan and great group of teachers, we’re proud to say, she has made incredible strides and completed her high school academics.”
Bergman, who is 20, will move onto BRAC’s adult program, which will help her learn vocational skills intended to lead to productive employment.
“There are lots of assumptions that limited speech means no reasoning,” Bergman wrote in her graduation speech. “But I can now know that I can only make my life change by believing in myself.”
Boca Raton Achievement Center teaches academics, life skills, health and fitness, independent living and vocational skills Monday through Friday.
“When students with greater challenges earn their high school diploma, it’s a big deal,” Falconer said. “Our educational system too often pushes them through to graduation or they end up dropping out. Our primary goal is to prevent those outcomes.”
Twenty students participated in the ceremony. A welcome address preceded individual awards for each student, followed by the adult awards. Many students raised their hands as their names were called and some yelled “I did it!”
“It was a huge moment watching each student walk up,” Falconer said. “Seeing their faces and a strong sense of pride was so satisfying.”
The biggest challenge of the ceremony was securing a venue. Completing its inaugural year exhausted most of the school’s limited budget. Fortunately, Boca Raton businessman Spencer Silver stepped up and hosted the graduation at the Silver Companies building in Boca Raton. Silver also donated tables and chairs.
Falconer, who has about four decades of experience as an educator and principal in schools for unique learners, put her energy into an August opening for the school, located at 500 NE Spanish River Blvd., Suite 30.
“We hoped and prayed it would be great, and it has been. We saw so many students make so much progress,” Falconer said. “We provide them with an academic curriculum that sets them up for success.”
Taylor lives in Boca Raton with her mom and dad, Amy and Jeff Bergman. She made sure to express her appreciation to them at the end of her graduation speech.
“To my parents, thank you for your sacrifices and for the understanding,” Taylor said. “I loved being part of something greater than myself.”
The school planned to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for June 28.
“We want people to see what we do here,” Falconer said. “Students who need us need to know where to come.” P
The BRAC mission is to provide students with disabilities a learning environment based on individual needs and strengths, rooted in support, consistency and kindness, and centered on a sense of community and inclusion. The nonprofit aims to give students the support they need to explore and acquire skills necessary to be successful in their education, independent living and the careers of their choice. Contact the school at 561-559-9768 or visit https://bocaratonachievement.com
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