Whitehall-Coplay School District administrators, educators and staff came together June 13 to give a Whitehall High School student the graduation he deserved. Alex Papovich, an autistic 21-year-old, was enrolled in the Life Skills program at WHS and was supposed to attend the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2022 June 6 at PPL Center, when he fell ill.

Mary Scheel, Papovich’s Life Skills teacher of three years, said his mother called the day before graduation to say Papovich was sick and couldn’t attend.

He is the son of Jaymi and Stephen Papovich.

“She was so very upset, and so was I. Alex attended school for 15 years and now could not attend graduation.”

Students enrolled in special education can attend school until age 21.

“Beginning in September, Alex would give me the countdown to graduation. He would say, ‘Mrs. Scheel, graduation in 2022.’ Then in January, he said, ‘Graduation in June 2022.’ On June 1, he declared that there were only five more days to graduation. I could not let this moment go by. I had to do something,” Scheel said.

During his time at WHS, Papovich participated in the Work Based Learning Program through Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 (CLIU 21). He had a job coach, who took Papovich to volunteer at various work sites, so he could learn the soft skills necessary for employment.

“His favorite placement was called Life House,” Scheel said. “This was a house that is owned by the CLIU 21, in which students learn how to do things around the house to help their parents with chores - vacuuming, cleaning windows, laundry, making a bed, kitchen and cooking skills.”

Scheel said she received quarterly reports that described Papovich as “polite, hardworking and dedicated.”

According to Scheel, Papovich was popular with staff and knew all of the administrators, physical education teachers, cafeteria and maintenance workers.

“He is friendly, outgoing, always saying hello, holding doors open, asking people what their name is, always smiling,” Scheel said.

When Scheel heard that Papovich was going to miss his much-anticipated graduation, she asked Nate Davidson, WHS’ principal at the time, if she could hold a small graduation ceremony in the auditorium on the last day of school, after the students had left. Davidson agreed and said he would speak and give Papovich his diploma. Scheel mentioned her plan to another teacher, who told Scheel to let other staff know in case they would like to attend.

Scheel emailed WHS staff and Papovich’s job coaches from CLIU 21, inviting everyone to attend. She was simply going to give a brief speech and Papovich would receive his diploma in front of his family.

However, Scheel said that within 24 hours, WCSD Superintendent Dr. Robert Steckel replied he would attend, and WHS music teacher Daniel Smale said he would play the graduation march, “Pomp and Circumstance,” on his keyboard. WHS choir director Edward Hong asked Marquett Ferrell, also a Class of 2022 graduate, to sing the national anthem. Dave Parvel, curriculum supervisor of education and technology, put Papovich’s graduation picture on the auditorium screen and recorded the ceremony for the family.

Scheel said on the day of Papovich’s special ceremony, some staff wore graduation gowns, as they did for the June 6 ceremony. Two of his past Life Skills teachers, Katie and Mike Rile, walked Papovich, dressed in his graduation robe, down the auditorium aisle.

“As I was seated on the stage with Mr. Davidson and Dr. Steckel, the auditorium was filled with teachers, cafeteria workers, CLIU 21 job coaches, maintenance staff, secretaries, guidance counselors and so many others,” Scheel said. “I could not believe how many people came to see this young man graduate.”

In her speech, Scheel thanked the audience and said, “You are Alex’s village. You all make a difference in this world of education, and today, you helped me make this a special day for Alex Papovich, graduate from the Class of 2022.”

Some attendees had tears in their eyes as Scheel concluded her speech.

“I was very honored to be a part of it,” Steckel said, “and I was so proud to see how many of our caring staff attended the event.”

Currently, Papovich attends an adult day program called C.A.R.E.S., or Community And Residential Empowerment Services, three days each week. C.A.R.E.S., a program for adults with disabilities, offers activities such as crafts, cooking, gardening and outings. Scheel said that while Papovich is doing well, he misses school.

Scheel said one of the things she will miss the most about Papovich being gone is the arrival of her birthday each year.

“I try to tell my other students that I am going to be only 35 years old; however, Alex simply reminds me of my real age. He never forgets a birthday once you tell him,” Scheel said. “Maybe next year, I will finally get away with turning 35.”