July 25, 2024
The University of Alabama’s RISE program annual commencement ceremony was held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 27 at the Stallings Center.
As the evening began, Dr. Stuart Usdan, dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences recognized lead teacher and parent resource specialist, Kim Potter, for her 32 years of service to RISE and congratulated her on her well-earned retirement.
The theme for this year’s program was magical moments with the children participating in a variety of musical numbers celebrating the magic of storytelling and imagination. The audience enjoyed watching the students perform to songs such as “Under the Sea”, “I Wanna Be Like You” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman”.
Afterwards, guest speaker and former RISE graduate Hank Poore, shared an inspirational message about RISE and its importance to the community. He also assured current parents that their students will be ready for the challenges of kindergarten and beyond because of the dedication of the RISE teachers.
Several awards were presented. The Laura Allison Harbin Award for Outstanding Achievement in the RISE Summer Teenage Volunteer Program was presented to Kellyn Posey. The award was created in July 2001 after the Harbin family lost Allison instantly in a single-car accident in her sophomore year of high school. In Allison’s words, “the kindness of one can have an effect on many”. Her spirit lives on in the halls of RISE each summer as new volunteers continue her work.
The Allison Anne Bronner Volunteer Award was given to Francie Emery.
The Trimm Family Community Service Award was presented to Brad McDaniel.
And the Dawn Sandel Music Therapy Award went to Royal Williams.
Andi Gillen, Director of the RISE School, presented diplomas to each student. A reception afterwards for the graduates and their friends and families was provided by the Alabama Power Service Organization.
The RISE Center, a part of UA’s College of Human Environmental Sciences, serves children with disabilities and their typically developing peers, from ages 8 weeks to 5 years. The school’s mission is the same as the University’s — teaching, service and research. The integrated preschool program not only benefits families in the community, it serves as a practicum and internship site for students from UA and other colleges.
RISE has helped prepare children, both disabled and nondisabled, for public school classes over the past 30 years. In 1999, RISE received accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a prestigious recognition achieved by only 7 percent of early childhood programs nationwide.
Located in the Stallings Center, which is named for the family of former UA Head Football Coach Gene Stallings, RISE looks like any other day care, except for the provisions made to address children’s specific disabilities. Classrooms, from infant to preschool, have been set up with age-appropriate toys, and each is staffed with a master’s level teacher and their aides.
Each class follows a curriculum for the appropriate age level. Speech, physical, occupational and other therapists are brought into the Stallings Center, so the children have all their treatment in the same location. Students without disabilities also attend RISE, creating a true mainstream environment in the program.
RISE Center also serves as a hands-on training facility for UA students majoring in early childhood education, communicative disorders, nursing and social work. Tags: RISE Center, Graduation, Commencement, Awards