(DANVILLE, KY) – The Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD) celebrated eight graduates during its commencement ceremony on May 22.

The eight seniors graduating were:

  • Timothy Abebema
  • Kennedi Ballard
  • Jaelynn Bonds
  • Sean Brown
  • Madelyn Gladden
  • Skylar Huff
  • Alyson Tucker
  • Reyes Williams

KSD Principal Lynn Petrey congratulated all the students on their hard work and thanked the many dedicated teachers at the school.

Keynote speaker Renca Dunn spoke to the graduates about the importance of friendship and community when it comes to building their own legacies.

“I want to challenge you to write your own story; each and every one of you has that capability to make your own history in the world,” Dunn said. “Always be curious, ask people about their stories and be confident in yourself.”

She shared examples of how people who are deaf have gone on to do great things in the world. She said that even a small school such as KSD can have a big impact.

KSD Graduate Timothy Abebema thanked his parents and teachers for investing in him and always helping when he needed it. He congratulated his fellow students, saying that their futures are bright whatever their next steps are.

“This is a big moment in our lives, let’s greet the future with curiosity and courage and tell ourselves that we can do great things,” Abebema said.

All photos were taken by Fiona Morgan, information officer at the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).

Four students in green graduation gowns adjust their tassels

KSD graduates move their tassels at the end of the graduation ceremony.

A woman in a green graduation gown speaks at a podium with four people sitting behind her

KSD graduate Madelyn Gladden speaks to her fellow graduates.

Three people pose for a photo. The person in the middle is wearing a green graduation gown and is holding a diploma

Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher, left, with graduate Sean Brown and KSD Principal Lynn Petrey.

Three people pose for a photo. The person in the middle is wearing a green graduation gown and is holding a diploma

Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher with graduate Skylar Huff and KSD Principal Lynn Petrey.

Three people pose for a photo. The person in the middle is wearing a green graduation gown and is holding a diploma

Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher with graduate Alyson Tucker and KSD Principal Lynn Petrey.

Three people pose for a photo. The person in the middle is wearing a green graduation gown and is holding a diploma

Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher with graduate Kennedi Ballard and KSD Principal Lynn Petrey.

Three people pose for a photo. The person in the middle is wearing a green graduation gown and is holding a diploma

Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher with graduate Reyes Williams and KSD Principal Lynn Petrey.

Three people pose for a photo. The person in the middle is wearing a green graduation gown and is holding a diploma

Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher with graduate Madelyn Gladden and KSD Principal Lynn Petrey.

Three people pose for a photo. The person in the middle is wearing a green graduation gown and is holding a diploma

Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher with graduate Jaelynn Bonds and KSD Principal Lynn Petrey.

A man in a graduation gown stands next to celebratory balloons and a man holding a bouquet of flowers

Graduate Timothy Abebema takes a photo with KSD Principal Lynn Petrey after the ceremony.

A woman speaks and motions with her hands at a podium

Guest speaker Renca Dunn talks to graduates about the importance of making and keeping the right friends.

A man in a graduation gown speaks at a podium and makes a sign with his hand

Graduate Timothy Abebema shares his story of how he became deaf and how he came to KSD.

A group of students wearing graduation gowns all smile and laugh while sitting in a gymnasium

KSD graduates smile and laugh as they watch a slideshow of photos from their classmates’ childhoods.

A woman hugs a student in a green graduation gown

Graduate Reyes Williams hugs his family members after the ceremony.

A woman in a green graduation gown smiles

Graduate Jaelynn Bonds receives a card after the ceremony.

A woman in a green graduation gown hugs another woman wearing a floral dress

Graduate Alyson Tucker hugs a friend after the ceremony.

A girl in a green graduation gown poses for a photo with two other people

Graduate Kennedi Ballard takes photos with friends and family.

Graduate Timothy Abebema gets his diploma from KSD Principal Lynn Petrey

Graduate Timothy Abebema gets his diploma from KSD Principal Lynn Petrey.

A man in a green graduation gown puts his thumbs up and smiles

Graduate Reyes Williams gives a thumbs up.

A man in a green graduation gown holds up his diploma while posing for a photo with a woman

Graduate Sean Brown takes photos with family.