As the current Reconcile students packed up to leave at the end of the day, several familiar faces trickled into the cafe and were met with hugs, handshakes, and cries of congratulations. Fifteen students returned to Reconcile last night to receive their certificates of completion.
As Glen Armantrout, Interim Executive Director, announced the names of each student, the packed house roared with applause. When the standing ovation finally quieted down, Chef Joe began the ceremony with a prayer of thanksgiving and praise. Reconcile’s founder, Craig Cuccia, then gave a brief history of the program, telling the students that they were the “living bricks of Reconcile.”
Mental health specialist, Onassis Jones, then played the piano as Arianne Keelen, wife of case manager, Tyrone, brought down the house with her rendition of “You are the Wind Beneath my Wings.” So powerful was her song that guest speaker, Sally-Ann Roberts, refused to begin her speech before another round of applause was made in appreciation.
But when the anchorwoman of WWL-TV did begin to speak, she did so brilliantly. She spoke of the hard work of our students. She recognized their determination and praised their persistence. She told them to soar and she let them know that everyone in the room believed that they could fly. With these inspiring words in mind, Program Director Luke Crochet began the distribution of the certificates and every name called was met with a new explosion of support.
Graduate Markeita then took the podium as a representative student speaker. Addressing the audience without notes to guide her, Markeita spoke from her heart to share her experience in the program. Twenty-two years old, a mother, and homeless, Markeita told the audience that she entered the program knowing that it was her last opportunity. Now employed at Salu on Magazine Street, her life has drastically changed and her future is bright. When Glen Armantrout retook the podium to make his closing remarks with watery eyes, he did not need to explain to the sniffling audience why the student reflection was his favorite part of the evening.
After one last round of applause, family, friends, staff, graduates, and board members finally walked across the street for refreshments and camaraderie. As the noise level grew and the cake was cut, one graduate, Eddie, remarked that even though his family was unable to attend the ceremony, his “Reconcile family” was there in full force. And what a joyful family it is.
Glen Armantrout welcomes our guests
Rochelle (now a floor trainer at Reconcile) enters the ceremony to a cheering crowd
Sally-Ann Roberts inspires the room
Eddie shows off his diploma!
Markeita shares her personal experience
Graduation is a family affair!
Congratulations, Graduates!!
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