Novi Adult Transition Center celebrates its graduates

NOVI — Three students successfully completed the Novi Adult Transition Center program this month.

The program provides young people with varying degrees of cognitive impairment an opportunity to learn life and job skills until the age of 26.

During a graduation ceremony June 4, a recording was played of one of the graduates, Jason Nunez, singing an original song that he put together for the event using modern technology, and fellow graduate Michael Manning gave a spontaneous dance to it, which delighted the audience.

“Michael is just the most fun person you could be around,” said teacher Brad Therrian. “But that’s his unpredictable, fun nature. He is just an example of someone who just loves life, and when you’re around him, you love life like he does. … We always say it’s Michael Manning’s world and we’re just living in it.”

“His warm and welcoming demeanor has made him a beloved figure among the staff and visitors alike. Whether he is assisting on a task or simply spreading joy, Michael’s presence is a reminder of the positive impact that one individual can have on another human being,” teacher Alyson Moulding said at the ceremony. “Michael, you embody the values that we strive to instill in all our graduates: dedication, kindness, and a commitment to making the world a better place. Your journey serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us that true success is measured not only by personal achievements, but also by the positive impact we have on others.”

Manning said he plans to travel with his dad to Boyne City this summer and is looking forward to swimming on the beach. He said he loves a variety of music including Taylor Swift, Eminem and Katy Perry, as well as making cakes.

Graduate Alexandria Wachuku said she plans to perform office duties at her mom’s office in Farmington, where she currently works. She also has been working at the Novi Public Library Cafe.

“She’s always willing to help anybody in any capacity that she can,” Therrian said of Wachuku.

He said that Wachuku has learned that you can’t always be right and you can’t always be perfect, and to accept that. He said she strives to do the best job that she can do and that she can “hang her hat on that being good enough.”

Nunez said he holds down four part-time jobs right now, but hopes to work with Next Door Photos, as he is really into photography. He has been a building attendant at the Novi Civic Center for the last six years, and he also works at the Novi Public Library.

“My favorite part of NATC is adaptive PE,” Nunez said. “Exercise, movement, competition, activity day, etc.”

He said he has led the adaptive physical education class under the guidance of his instructor, helping students to go through their exercise routines.

Nunez also had the opportunity to perform alongside retired elementary school Principal David Ascher, whom Nunez described as a “brilliant young man.”

Nunez’s parents said they really appreciated the NATC program and were thrilled with all it has done for their son.

“It takes a village to raise someone like him, and with their help he has been able to go places and do things,” said mom Lorrie Nunez.

His father, Randy Nunez, said one of the best things the program offers is employment opportunities.

“One of the major challenges with people like Jason, they have a 90% unemployment rate. He has four part-time jobs, and it’s 100% due to the NATC,” he said.

He credited the school staff for this accomplishment.

“The staff is really good,” said Michael Manning’s father, Tim Manning. “They got (Michael) organized and motivated.”

“Every graduation gets a little bit harder, because you get so accustomed to just being by them all the time, it’s hard to let them go, but you have to,” Therrian said. “For this class, my greatest wish is that they just continue to go out there and take chances and chase the things that they enjoy to do the most. For Jason, that’s creating music. As you got to hear, he’s a wonderful musician. Alex, she’s great at organization and clerical work. She’s phenomenal. For Michael, I think it’s just always being someone who is great with greeting people and welcoming people, and I think that if we can play to their strengths, they can do anything that they put their minds to.”