Graduation season gives parents a special sense of pride, accomplishment, and joy as they prepare to watch their children unlock the doors to the next chapter of their lives. Educators smile as they wonder where the growth that they’ve seen in their students will take them. It’s an exciting time, but even more so for the hearing-impaired students of the district.
Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) serves more than 69,000 school-age students and more than 6,000 educators on a regional basis. Direct instruction is provided to more than 15,000 individuals, from birth through adulthood, in DCIU’s Student Services, Career, Technical Education, and other specialized programs. After more than 50 years of serving the needs of Delaware County, DCIU has grown to provide more than $135 million worth of services–through management of the Hearing/Language/ILS Programs and other programs.
“Recognition night is for all students who otherwise might not get a chance to shine or tell their story as they graduate and move on to the next chapter of their educational story. It’s the culmination of many years of hard work for the students and their families who’ve supported them. The work we do to help students achieve and maximize their potential is the entire reason I come to work,” said Christy Hiergeist M.S., CCC-SLP; LSLS Cert. AVT, CED, Supervisor: Hearing/Language/ILS Programs.
Graduating senior Adaiah Campbell plans to attend Delaware County Community College with aspirations of being a sports journalist, seriously considering a transfer to Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York, or Temple University in Philadelphia. During her high school career, Campbell has managed her school’s Lacrosse team, been editor of her school newspaper, and has taken the school’s broadcast journalism class throughout high school, all while holding down a job at WAWA.
James Stapleton doesn’t have traditional college plans but is looking to get into a trade school or a union position following graduation. Stapleton just received his second Cochlear Implant in December 2023, before having one Cochlear Implant and a hearing aid, which wasn’t working out very well. “Prior to having both implants, my parents always had to yell to get my attention, and the least little loud noise would freak me out. Now it’s much better,” said Stapleton, who’s found his passion in cars. The way his eyes light up when he talks about the 1965 Mustang that he calls “Baby” his joy’s evident. Stapleton is currently employed at an auto repair shop.
Raegan Campbell was born with Charge syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes physical, medical, and developmental problems in newborns, and is a leading congenital deaf blindness worldwide. Campbell has been at DCIU since the tender age of three. She was energetic, dedicated, and highly entertaining, playing the violin from 3rd until 8th grade. Campbell is planning to attend Delaware County Technical Institute to study Early Childhood Education with her sights set on working in a daycare or classroom as an Assistant Teacher.
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