Eighteen students from the Manteca Transition Program & Young Adult Program were recognized on Thursday.

Together, they made up the Class of 2024.

The Commencement & Celebration ceremony held at the Manteca Unified School District’s RESC Building was also special for Principal Brad Harrison, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

“He will be missed,” said Program Specialist Zachary Franceschetti.

Harrison spent 27 of his 35 years at Manteca Unified as an administrator at the various school sites. He was especially thrilled to be part of the Manteca Transition Program & Young Adult School, hoping that he left it “in a better place.”

For that, he’s confident that his staff will continue on with the success.

Included are his teaching staff, consisting of Jesus Guerrero, Laura LaGrone, Corinna Guerrero, Scott Thornton, and Kim French.

Each shared tidbits with the graduates, who varied in age between 18 through 22, during the awarding of certificates.

Members of the Class of 2024 consisted of Andrea Paredes, Angelina Sulamo, Cassandra Melgarejo, Daeliza Leal, Decklen Aceituno, Elias Cabrera-Martinez, Gariel Olvera, Isabella Rodriguez, Jaspinder Sandhu, Jesus Reyes Jr., Lizeth Cervantes Garcia, Mario Gomez Hurtado, Mauricio Estrella Orozco, Miguel Oseguera Alvarez, Ray Juarez, Sabari Guragain, Sajjawal Nadeem, and Shane Terrill.

Some of the graduates will be moving on to other programs such as Valley CAPS. Others such as Reyes are on the waiting list for Wayfinders special education school at Fresno State.

“We look forward to seeing each of you in the future and hearing about your wonderful accomplishments,” Franceschetti said.