STORY AND PHOTO BY JASON GREEN, STAFF WRITER
Disability Support Services (DSS) is hosting a “DSS Graduation Celebration” on May 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 8 p.m., one week before Cypress’ 57th Commencement Ceremony.
The event started in 2017 and allows students to celebrate their accomplishments. This semester, 31 DSS graduates will be celebrated in the area near the pond.
Students will be able to RSVP up until the day before the events. Students can contact DSS at 714-484-7104 for any questions.
Students can invite up to four additional guests in their RSVP, but to add more, DSS needs to be notified. Summer Justice, the DSS Student Services Coordinator, said that including students, graduates, friends, families, DSS staff, and administration, 149 people will attend the graduation.
“Statistically, students with disabilities graduate at a lower rate than peers without disabilities,” said Justice. According to BestColleges.com, “The six-year graduation rate of students with disabilities at four-year colleges is 49.5%, compared to roughly 68% for students without disabilities.”
Justice explained that DSS students tend to take fewer classes due to their disability when the average student would need about 15 or more credits per semester to graduate in two years.
With statistics like these, Justice wants to “boost students’ egos” by celebrating their accomplishments.
“Overall, it’s really just to come together and show our support and that we’re proud of the work that the students put in because we all understand that it’s a big commitment to go school,” Justice said as this applies to all students.
She continued, “We hope that we played a part in their [DSS student’s] educational journey and helped them get to their goal.” Ultimately, they know the students reached their goal as a result of their own perseverance.
A check-in table will open at 5:45 p.m. and attendees will be able to pick up a ticket for food and a drink.
The event is funded by the Student Equity and Achievement Program and will be catered by TK Burgers food trucks. A photo booth will also be at the event for students to take pictures with their friends and family.
A PowerPoint student slideshow will be presented at the event with graduates’ names, photos, and degrees individually. Graduating students need to email a photo to Justice, at sjustice@cypresscollege.edu, to be included in the slideshow.
Speakers at the event include Cypress College President, Dr. Scott W. Thayer; Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Paul de Dios; Learning Disability Specialist,
Dawn Decker; Jasmine Gill as a faculty speaker, and Gregory Richmond as an alumni Speaker.
Along with live music, Steve Augur, DSS Alternate Media Specialist, will perform music at the event.
Items will be raffled at the event, including a Bluetooth speaker and more.
The annual graduation ceremony held by DSS celebrates the graduating students for achieving their academic goals.
