Search
Close this search box.

Okaloosa Schools celebrates graduates of innovative program for adults with intellectual disabilities

On Tuesday, May 21, the Okaloosa County School District honored three remarkable individuals – Reid Soria, Bailey Lamonte, and Diana Dowart – for successfully completing the Okaloosa Unique Professionals (Okaloosa UP) program at Okaloosa Technical College. The graduation ceremony was attended by proud families and friends who gathered to celebrate the graduates’ significant achievements. Through the Okaloosa […]

Pictured left to right: Reid Soria, Bailey Lamonte, and Diana Dowart

On Tuesday, May 21, the Okaloosa County School District honored three remarkable individuals – Reid Soria, Bailey Lamonte, and Diana Dowart – for successfully completing the Okaloosa Unique Professionals (Okaloosa UP) program at Okaloosa Technical College.

  • Okaloosa UP is a specialized career instruction-comprehensive program designed for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, providing them with access to training and individualized support to develop specific career skills.

The graduation ceremony was attended by proud families and friends who gathered to celebrate the graduates’ significant achievements. Through the Okaloosa UP program, these students have earned occupational completion points for jobs embedded within CTE programs, career certificates for full program completion, and industry certifications or licensure.

Superintendent Marcus Chambers praised the graduates, stating, “This is not just a graduation but a stepping stone towards a brighter future, made possible by the transformative power of the Okaloosa UP program. The program’s comprehensive training and support have been instrumental in their success, and these students have not only overcome challenges but also soared to new heights, setting a shining example for all.”

The mission of Okaloosa UP is to empower adult students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities by providing them with the tools and opportunities to develop specific career skills and secure competitive, integrated employment within their communities.

  • The program’s ultimate goal is to foster independence and help students lead fulfilling lives.

All three graduates received certificates for completing the Safe Staff Florida Food Handler and the Specialized Career Instruction Comprehensive courses. The success of these students can also be attributed to the dedicated staff at Okaloosa Technical College and the unwavering support of their families.

  • The district also extended its gratitude to the Hilton Garden Inn and Holiday Inn Resort for their support of the Okaloosa UP program.

In a testament to the program’s effectiveness, all three students secured employment during their last semester at Okaloosa Technical College.

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“Very glad to see this project going through,we don’t live here but we brought our bikes here from misssouri and drove over to 30A to ride”
Respond
“I suggest revising this statement: "doubling the number of travel lanes from the current four to six" since doubling four does not yield six.”
Respond
“No there was never one here.”
Respond
“Sad that I know him and had no idea!”
Respond
“One of the most important issue regarding this matter is: was this x-con provided with an opportunity to learn a trade while locked up for 327 months or was he...”
Respond
“Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? I seriously question the integrity of the yellow media and low-intelligence commenters for spewing such damagaing rhetoric before this case has even been...”
Respond
“I take it that he only did half of 27 years which is 13 1/2 years .He apparently missed his inmate friends. What made him think he could get away...”
Respond
“How can we get this started at Bluewater ? yeah Mrs Crist , still loving and making a difference in children’s lives .”
Respond
“This is such an awesome idea! Ms. Crist was my daughter Valerie's 2nd grade teacher when Valerie attended Bluewater Elementary School! Ms. Crist was born to teach!! Nellie Bogar, Youth...”
Respond