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Meet Our 2018 Graduates!

The school year is winding down and we have two students who will be graduating:

Carlos Camacho

Carlos first started at JPII at the age of 16. He came from an urban school and was shy and quiet because he was taught to never stand out.

However, after a few years in Mrs. Berkhammer’s class, Carlos has embraced who he is and how God made him to be. He does such a great job every day trying to make a difference, be kind, use manners, and be the best version of himself that he can be.

Carlos spent his last couple years at JPII learning how to garden and acquiring the skills he needs to find a job in a restaurant setting within the Berks County community. In fact, Carlos recently set himself up for a promising job in the kitchen at the DoubleTree Hotel in Reading!

“Coming to this school has changed my life. I have never had so much attention like I get at JPII. I have been on the radio, in the newspaper and I have even started helping the tone chimes. I help make pendants, I get to do awesome things with my friends. This school has saved my life. I am a leader, I do good work, and I am a good friend. I have this life because of JPII and all the people that care about me.”

Grant Grauf

Grant has been a student at JPII since he was three!  Ms. Long was his very first teacher way back in the Primary class and went on to have Mrs. Kreska and Mrs. Berkhammer as his teachers as well!

As a member of Saint Margaret’s in Reading, Grant loves going to church and studying the Bible. Father Garcia will be celebrating the 2018 graduation mass. Father John and some other very close friends of Grant’s will be attending as well. Grant even reached out to Bishop Barres who is now head of the Diocese of New York! He feels Blessed to have some many Holy Friends praying for him as he graduates.

Grant loves vacationing in Gettysburg.  He likes learning Presidential facts and has a very extensive collection of Presidential Pez Dispensers and other cool Americana artifacts.  He even brought in his waving flag that plays “The Star Spangled Banner” and “My Country Tis of Thee” when he dressed like General Grant for Halloween!

After graduation, Grant plans on attending the adult program.  He looks forward to seeing all of his old friends and is excited to go out in the community with his peers. Grant will also work at his family’s BINGO Hall Tuesdays and Fridays.  He is a great helper at the Bingo hall and takes care of things like stocking the soda, washing down the equipment, stacking the bingo sheets, and helping to wash the dishes when his Aunt needs him.  He’s excited to get paid for doing something he loves and is looking forward to earning a paycheck so he can buy whatever he wants.  Maybe he will even take his family out to eat at Chick-Fil-A!  Grant is also looking forward to a trip to Knoebels.  Don’t be surprised if you see him on  his favorite rides: the Antique Cars and the Carousel!

Our graduation will take place on June 4 at 12:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Join us at John Paul II Center!

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