(Red Deer Public Schools)

By Alessia Proietti

Learn and have fun

Reading College holds 12th graduation ceremony for 69 students

Jul 31, 2023 | 2:09 PM

It was graduation day in Red Deer on Friday for 69 students from the Reading College.

The Class of 2023 was surrounded by family and friends filling the bleachers of the main gymnasium at Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) (100 College Blvd.).

The College, now in it’s 12^th year, works with Grade 2 students during the month of July to help improve their reading and writing skills.

READ: Reading College opening kids’ eyes to future opportunities

Sue Carmichael, Reading College Coordinator, said the graduation went well as RDP President Stuart Cullum handed out diplomas on stage to the nervous students and a member of the Central Alberta Optimist Club, a program sponsor, who turned the tassels during the graduation ceremony.

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She had tears in her eyes when speaking about her pride for the students and teachers, comprising of new RDP graduates and mentor teachers.

“We just keep going on the plan and it does pay off. We had some lovely notes and comments from parents that they can see the difference and that really makes my heart so full. I feel like these kids are going into Grade 3 in a way better way then they would have,” she said.

Carmichael said while the teachers spend dedicated time in the mornings on their program, they also were able to organize, through their personal passions and connections, various summer activities for the students.

She said the students go to see an acrobatic performance, play golf, meet a real horse, and dance with the local Dance Magic Studio, among other activities that she hopes will open their eyes to different possibilities.

At the graduation, she said various sponsors gave presentations of their fundraising initiatives, with Tim Hortons raising over $60,000 through their Smile Cookies program, and $13,000 from the Optimist Club, to name a few.

“I think it’s so cool that people want to put their money towards kids that are struggling with reading because I know there are lots of organizations that are always looking for money but I thought that speaks very highly of the people in the Red Deer community,” she said.

Carmichael thanked all those who have contributed to the program in any way, whether through time, support, funds or even with a helping hand during a challenging day.