5 Okaloosa County School District students graduate from Project SEARCH program
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — Five Okaloosa County School District students with disabilities graduated from a special program last week, ready to start their new careers.
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According to an OCSD news release, the Project SEARCH High School Transition Program celebrated its third consecutive graduation at the Hilton Garden Inn on Okaloosa Island.
The program teaches young adults with disabilities the essential job skills and workforce training needed to enter the workforce when they complete the program, the release said.
The program is designed for students 18 to 21 years old who have completed their high school credits but have deferred their diploma to participate in Project SEARCH, the release said.
'Project SEARCH fosters career exploration and on-the-job training through a business-led collaboration with community partners,' the release said.
'Project SEARCH is life-changing for these students, offering them the skills and confidence to thrive in the workforce,' OCSD Superintendent Marcus Chambers said. 'The dedication of our educators and community partners reflects our commitment to inclusivity and student success.'
This year's class included students from Baker, Crestview, Laurel Hill and Silver Sands high schools.
'It's inspiring to see the profound impact this program has — not just on our students but also on the staff who support them,' Exceptional Student Education Director Kathy Ard said. 'As they step into their careers, they do so with a new level of confidence and capability, ready for success.'
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Interested students can apply for the program between August and the end of March of their senior year. Applicants participate in an interview and assessment, and final selections are made by the end of April for the next school year, the release said. Those participating do not receive their diploma until they have completed Project SEARCH.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Seven graduate in Monroe's Project SEARCH Class of 2025
MONROE — Ciara Ault had one busy year. During her time in the Project SEARCH program, she walked more than 500 stairs a day during one of her work rotations. She also learned the public bus system so she could get from Summerfield to Monroe. Now, she's starting a new job at Monroe's All Heart Athletics. For her hard work, Ault was named Project SEARCH's Class of 2025 Student of the Year during June 3's graduation ceremony at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital. Ault and six other local students graduated from this year's program. Project SEARCH is an international education and training program for young adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairments. In Monroe, the 182-day program has been based at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital (and its predecessor, Mercy Memorial Hospital) for the last 16 years. Previous Coverage: Project Search gives challenged adults job experience Students learn employment skills by working in various departments at the hospital and at other local businesses. Ault, for example, did rotations in the hospital's main lab and rapid infusion lab. 'I stocked supplies. I helped the patients feel more comfortable,' Ault said in her speech at the graduation ceremony. The students, sometimes called interns, also learn social and life skills in the classroom at the hospital. Many secure jobs right after graduation. During the June 3 graduation ceremony, Darrin Arquette, president of ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital, said many were impressed by this year's Project SEARCH interns. 'The work you've done here at the hospital is very important to us," Arquette said. "You made great impressions on all of our team and our patients here. Our staff comments on you all the time. I can't thank you enough for all your hard work this year." Sue Vanisacker from La-Z-Boy was the ceremony's keynote speaker. 'Graduates, this is what resilience looks like. You stepped into the professional world. You have grown so, so much. Every successful journey begins with one single brave step. It takes courage. You all chose to show up anyway and take meaningful steps forward for your future," Vanisacker said. "Project SEARCH is so much more than a program; it's a launchpad. Your potential is recognized and nurtured and now ready to take flight. You learned skills that matter in the real world." Like classmate Ciara Ault, Class of 2025 graduate Alexander Benac worked in several ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital departments, including a nursing floor, the dining room and the dish room. He stocked supplies and delivered water to patients. 'I made food in the kitchen and pizza for the cafeteria,' Benac said. He is currently interviewing for jobs. Graduate Justin Croy also worked on a nursing floor and in the kitchen and dining room. 'From Project SEARCH and the kitchen here at the hospital, I learned new things. With the new things, I'm working three days a week at Mason Jar Tap and Grill,' Croy said. Brianna Cumper's work in Project SEARCH included stocking medical supplies, making food and keeping the dining room organized. 'I make and pack 65 to 80 lunches on Mondays and Thursdays, and I make 36 mini pizzas every day. Project SEARCH has taught me that I really like to work," Cumper said. Next, she plans to take more classes at the Monroe County Intermediate School District's Transition Center. Ellie Easton worked in food and nursing departments at the hospital. 'I served customers in the dining room and worked the cash register. I enjoyed meeting new people and trying new things," Easton said. Now, she's working at Chick-fil-A in Toledo. Alex Johnson did rotations in the emergency room, cath lab and the dietary department. He made beds, ran a dishwasher and learned customer service skills in the process. 'My co-workers in the ER and cath lab, they made me feel like family," Johnson said. He was hired to be an aide for a preschool bus for the Monroe County ISD. 'I love all the kids on my bus. I like to keep them safe while they are on the bus,' Johnson said. During the summers, he'll work at McDonald's. Graduate Jamie Tice trained in the hospital's ambulatory and surgical areas. She stocked supplies and made beds. 'My favorite part about Project SEARCH was how patient and kind everyone is,' she said. Tice was hired to do custodial work at FEDCO. 'I love my job,' she said. Former Project SEARCH graduate Rowdy Milka also was hired recently by FEDCO. Founded in 1988 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Project SEARCH is now offered across the U.S. and in several other countries. 'There are now close to 800 sites, in 47 states and nine countries, serving just over 49,000 young adults with mild to moderate impairments. It's pretty amazing," said Lori Eshenroder, who has been the local Project SEARCH instructor since it started during the 2008-09 academic year. '(In Monroe), we have had 112 interns complete this program over 16 years, and 88 of those have jobs. We have a 77% placement percentage; the national average is 75%. The national average wage is $13.83; ours is close to $15 an hour," she said. "We were the second site to start in Michigan; we now have 20 sites in Michigan," Eshenroder said. "ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital is the longest-running site. Seventeen years ago, we approached the hospital about this idea. From the very start they were on board. We spent a year visiting Project SEARCH in Cincinnati.' Previous Coverage: 'Nominate a Teacher': Lori Eshenroder receives grant William Hite, principal of the Monroe County ISD's Educational Center, said Project SEARCH collaborates with many local agencies and businesses, including Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Goodwill Industries, Monroe County ISD and Monroe Community Mental Health Authority. Support local news: Subscribe for all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content. Monroe's FEDCO was awarded the 2025 Business Advisory Council Partner of the Year honor. 'They embrace their employees as family. You guys make us feel part of the team. We are very grateful,' Eshenroder told FEDCO staff at the graduation ceremony. "Project SEARCH is about collaboration," Hite said. "It's the community coming together and supporting the students to reach the greatest level of success possible. These students could not ask for a better community to partner with." The Project SEACH Class of 2026 has been chosen. To learn more about the program, email Eshenroder at — Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@ This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Project SEARCH started here 16 years ago; learn about the 2025 class
