Friends and family joined CAP program participant Stephanie Li for a fun-filled party, where they celebrated her success in the program on Wednesday, October 21.

Awarded with an official certificate of completion from Principal Thomas Mead, Li was congratulated for her accomplishments and achievements throughout the course of the post-graduate program.

“In the beginning, she was just starting to learn job skills,” special education aide Jessica Watson said. “She’s become more independent. She’s really smart and very curious about the world.”

The CAP program gives students the chance to continue their educations after their high school graduation, preparing them for jobs, college, or other future plans.

“The program enabled her to learn lots of life skills,” Ling Li, Stephanie’s mother, said. “She [felt] so at home here, so comfortable… I thank all the teachers for helping her, and all her friends.”

CAP program participants who had graduated in earlier years also returned to congratulate Li, who entered the program four years ago.

“I’m going to miss my friends,” Li said. “I like it here.”

Li noted that she would especially miss Watson, who had worked with Li from the start. However, a bright future awaits the post-graduate. Li will be attending a new program for people between the ages of 22 and 30 at Charles River Center.

“They’re doing life skills, entertainment, and volunteer services [there],” Ling Li said.

Despite the fun times she has had in the CAP program, Li is excited to continue forward and apply the skills she has learned in the program to the next stages in her life.