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Programming Events

American Graduate Day - September 27, noon-5pm

Posted by Mike D on 09/22 at 01:17 PM

Penn State Public Media, WPSU will celebrate American Graduate Day 2014 on Sept. 27 with an afternoon of national and local programming, live interviews and performances. The multiplatform event airs from noon to 5 p.m. on WPSU-TV.

American Graduate Day 2014 celebrates the exceptional work of individuals and groups across the country who help local youth stay on track to college and career success.

Penn State Public Media will spotlight three people in the WPSU-TV viewing area who are helping kids stay in school until graduation: Ryan Devlin of Brockway, Jefferson County; Ann Mead of Warren County and Danielle Yoder of Penns Valley, Centre County.

Ann Mead, the director of the Warren County Summer Music School, has been inspiring students like Alex Burdette who started as a fifth grade flute student and is a senior in the Penn State School of Music. Much more than a job, Mead’s commitment to her students is her life’s work. “It’s what keeps my heart beating,” Mead says.

Brockway Area School District teacher Ryan Devlin not only credits his first grade teacher Ms. Worokey with his decision to become a teacher, he now gets to work with her as a colleague. Devlin says the kids are his motivation. “I get to play a really important role in helping students decide what they do in the future. It’s really exciting to be a part of the process.”

Danielle Yoder, elementary principal in Penns Valley Area School District, helps at-risk teens who may have struggled with attendance or academically to develop their confidence and leadership skills by becoming positive role models for elementary students. “This program has just really made these girls blossom and they’re beginning to believe,” says Yoder. “Once you get them to believe, then you can get them to succeed.”