Angela Jenkins, Office of Communications                                                                       July 19, 2006

(903) 262-1064                                                                                                                        For Immediate Release

News Release

St. Louis School Honors Three Graduates

            A special celebration will take place this week in Tyler Independent School District.  St. Louis School will host summer graduation ceremonies Thursday, July 20 at 10 a.m.  Three students will be honored: Jason Johnson, Tyrhonda Nelson and Steven Pruitt. 

            Jason Johnson has attended St. Louis School for 13 years since the age of nine.  He is the youngest of 10 children.  Johnson enjoys listening to music, drawing weather pictures, dancing and watching western movies. 

            “I remember Jason when he was young bouncing down the sidewalk, grinning from ear to ear on his way to the bus to go shopping,” recalls Kathy Stetson, a member of the students’ education team. 

            Tyrhonda Nelson came to St. Louis School in 1990 at the age of six.  Nelson lives with her mother and siblings.  Nelson enjoys swinging, music and snack time.  Her favorite music is Cha Cha Slide and R&B.   

            “Tyrhonda loved apple juice,” remembers Stetson.  “When she was younger, you really had to guard you apple juice when Tyrhonda was around.” 

            Steven Pruitt is the third graduate.  He is best known by his teachers and classmates as “Beeper.”  When Pruitt was a baby, he was monitored by a medical machine that beeped.  His older sister started calling him “Beep,” which eventually evolved into “Beeper.”  Pruitt likes wrestling, cars, eating, and music.

Pruitt’s first teacher at St. Louis School, Carol Smith, remembers when he first arrived at the school.  “I tried calling him Steven and it did not go over well, and to this day, he remains exclusively “Beeper,” she fondly declares.

            There are day programs and sheltered workshops available in the community for these students after graduation.  Tyler ISD works with the parents and program administrators to successfully transition the former students into their post graduate programs.

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