First, we want to congratulate the CYDI Class of 2021. In every way, this graduating class of 2021 has overcome unprecedented challenges. These graduates didn’t have a spring prom this year, party plans were altered, and even had a drive-thru graduation ceremony. Despite the changes, these CYDI high school seniors’ accomplishments are very meaningful to us.
During this school year, too many students experienced a range of challenges associated with the pandemic such as lack of motivation, difficulty managing distractions at home, and/or lack of structure. Many of our students couldn’t take advantage of any academic supports, and some have already transitioned to full or part-time in the workforce. As our students adjusted to remote learning, many found it difficult to tune out the chaotic 2020 presidential election, the political noise around mask-wearing, and other COVID-19 protocols. They were also impacted by the national unrest and grief over the death of George Floyd and police brutality.
We salute the entire CYDI Class of 2021 for displaying grit, fortitude, and perseverance in the face of unprecedented challenges brought on by the pandemic. Every element of life has been disrupted and things still have lots of uncertainty. There is no such thing as “normal life”. The pandemic has forced this graduating class to be thankful and appreciative for health, life, and opportunities. In a totally new way, many graduates appreciated the opportunity to continue working safely in the hands-on CYDI Labs throughout the pandemic. Access to typical school-based activities was limited, causing our graduates to be much more compassionate about having access to the stable and encouraging CYDI school environment, caring staff and the student supports offered at CYDI.
This graduating class learned to be flexible and adaptive in new ways. The school worked to provide a high-quality, equitable education for each student. Each instructor maintained high standards and allowed students multiple avenues to reach those standards. The school provided them engagement, rigorous work, and support each day virtually via online work and in-person in the CYDI Labs. Students progressed via multiple pathways to accomplish their goals. Each graduate had a personalized plan based on their interests, goals, and skills and applied the plan during the pandemic. They were motivated to find new ways of accomplishing school tasks. They were stretched beyond their comfort zone and into the creative zone as independent problem solvers. Although it hasn’t been a traditional learning year, CYDI graduating students have had to consistently use 21st-century skills, such as Google Meet classes and online learning. They have adapted their learning to meet the needs of the pandemic and their learning environment. They are going to carry this adaptability with them for a long time as they work toward post-secondary goals. Even through this pandemic, the CYDI graduates have demonstrated the knowledge and skills to lead productive and rewarding lives. But perhaps more importantly than the academic knowledge, these graduates also have developed non-cognitive skills - such as self-control and executive function, and social-emotional skills.
“We use a term at Community Youth Development Institute High School called CYDI Ready. ”
This graduating class can do anything they set their minds to. Students that can work successfully through the impact of COVID-19 can handle any adversity that comes their way. The perseverance required to survive this past year should bring a new level of confidence about handling adversity in the future. Here are some brief highlights of these seniors’ accomplishments through the global crisis-exceptional attendance, good grades, earned industry certifications, new student businesses started, new student fashion lines, original audio and video production, portfolios of graphic design work, students continuing to rehab a house in the community. Students in this graduating class learned technology and now have an IT portfolio to include gaming computer builds, system setups, and software integrations. Students in this graduating class grew as Youtube content creators and increased their following and developed new partnership opportunities. We use a term at Community Youth Development Institute High School called “CYDI Ready”. This is our focus and goal for each of our students to leave our school truly ready for the challenges of the 21st century. CYDI Ready students have the academic, social-emotional, job readiness, and executive skills to accomplish student’s goals after high school and to a career whether it be college, military, trade school, and/or the workforce. These graduates can SHOW you that they are “CYDI Ready”.
Our Students Stand Out!
CYDI Ready students have the academic, social-emotional, job readiness, and executive skills to accomplish student’s goals after high school and to a career whether it be college, military, trade school, and/or the workforce.
In the history books, the worldwide COVID 19 pandemic will be described as a challenging time. But it’s also a time that the 2021 CYDI graduates got through it and we got through it together. Our graduates learned to make the best use of an unsettling time. These graduates are seeds sown into the community that will prove how can be good things that can come out of times of darkness. Graduation for these students is truly a commencement and I cannot wait to see where they go next! Each student came to CYDI with unique experiences, expectations, and backgrounds. But now they have a deeply shared experience that required focus and intense dedication. They all leave CYDI equipped with a distinctive set of skills and a commitment to improving our community and making a positive impact in the world.
They will leave CYDI and find their unique calling in the world. They will solve tough problems and help create a better future. They will be the business owners, leaders, teachers, and activists that our community needs. They will continue to make their families, including the CYDI family, proud. Either way, we’ll know that they are strong, they are compassionate, they are resilient, and that they are CYDI Ready!
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