It is officially graduation season for Berkeley County School District.
The ceremony known for kicking things off is typically the Project SEARCH Graduation, May 21.
Project SEARCH is an annual program made possible through a partnership between the district, the county and South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation. The program prepares young people with special needs for success in employment opportunities.
Throughout this past school year, four high school students worked in various departments at Berkeley County Government and developed skills and training to prepare them for future jobs.
BCSD is excited to recognize the Project SEARCH class of 2026: Ciara Collier from Stratford High, Nathan Gourdine from Goose Creek High, Jonathan Litchfield from Timberland High and Lathesha Roberts from Goose Creek High. VIEW PHOTOS.
These students were joined by family members and district and county officials on Thursday morning for a graduation ceremony held at Berkeley County’s Administrative Building in Moncks Corner.
BCSD Superintendent Dr. Anthony S. Dixon commended the students for their hard work and determination. He thanked the district’s partnerships with Berkeley County and South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation for their ongoing support for BCSD’s students ever year.
“Today represents more than the completion of a program,” he said. “Today represents growth in confidence, independence, life skills and workplace readiness. Through Project SEARCH, students have gained valuable hands-on experience, developed professional skills, and built meaningful connections that will help open doors for future opportunities.”
During the ceremony, all four graduates got to share a little bit about what all they did during Project SEARCH, as well as their plans after graduation. Collier worked in the magistrate office, where she said she gained communication skills and grew her confidence, and has landed a job at Stars and Strikes. Litchfield said he enjoyed working in the maintenance garage and is now looking forward to continuing the work this summer. Roberts worked in the mail room, among other different areas, and said the experience brought her out of her shell; she will start a new job with Joint Base Charleston in June. Gourdine said he gained real world experience, and that he will continue to work on all his newfound skills this summer before looking for employment.
Project SEARCH instructor Nancy Briar said it was a pleasure to work with this year’s group of graduates.
“They have enhanced their employability skills,” she said. “Our interns have worked diligently throughout the year, and in their rotations they learned valuable life skills and lessons.”
Congratulations, graduates!