Jordan Edwards (left), a student from Henry Street High School, poses with Don Lovisa, president of Durham College (right), after receiving his certificate of completion at the Centre for Success celebration on June 15.

An eclectic group of students filled gyms 1 and 2 at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre on June 15 accompanied by proud parents in the stands as Durham College celebrated the completion of the Centre for Success program’s winter/spring semester.

First introduced in 2006 in conjunction with J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate in Ajax, Ont., the program is designed to help decrease the drop-out rate of at-risk secondary school students. It helps them complete their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) while giving them the opportunity to complete a college-level course and earn one or two credits toward a future post-secondary degree.

One hundred and twenty-three secondary school students received their certificate of completion during the event, which also included student representatives from the Durham District, Durham Catholic District, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District and Kawartha Pine Ridge District school boards sharing their experiences with the program.

Laura Cunningham, a student from the Durham District School Board, thanked the college for its efforts in helping the students achieve their goals. “We were treated like adults in this program, not students,” she said.

Durham College President Don Lovisa shook each student’s hand with a proud smile on his face after seeing the promising results of the session. “The transformation is incredible,” he said. “It’s about everyone working together for student success in a good learning environment.”

The college started the initiative with one class and now has close to eight. Lovisa would like to accommodate more classes to help students in need.

Ajax-Pickering MPP Joe Dickson spoke a few words of wisdom to the students and presented the college with a recognition plaque for another successful session of the program.

Jordan Edwards, a student from Henry Street High School, found the program to be a complete revelation compared to a standard high school environment. “You have more freedom here and you’re not boxed in,” he said. “It lets you develop independence.”

Although Edwards will receive his OSSD this spring, he doesn’t plan to attend post-secondary education until the fall of 2011. “I still have no idea what I want to do but it’s a relief to have this completed,” he said.

The end of the ceremony brought smiling faces and a few teary eyes when students said their goodbyes. It was a wonderful day that celebrated success and taking the next steps for the future.