Twenty-one young adults with disabilities crossed the stage for the 37th annual Southwest Center for Higher Independence (SCHI) graduation ceremony at Methodist Mission Home (MMH) on Friday, June 24, 2011. This marked the biggest graduating class in recent history.

Since 1974, SCHI has helped thousands of young adults with disabilities master life skills and vocational training to reach their personal level of independent living. Founded as a transitional education center for people who are deaf and hard of hearing, SCHI's services today have expanded to accommodate more diverse physical and cognitive disabilities.

During the ceremony, students had the opportunity to share their experiences and thank those who supported them during their time at SCHI.

“Gradually, I started learning the skills I needed to get along and communicate better with others,” said SCHI graduate Zeb Parsons, a student diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. “Having Asperger's made it difficult for me to make friends, but now I have many life-long friends here.”

For graduate Marissa Gray, who came to SCHI with learning disabilities, her time in the program allowed her to see she could live an independent life away from home.

“At SCHI, I gained good social and learning skills that would help me a lot and prepare me for the future and for the rest of my life,” said Gray. “I learned how to pay bills, cook for myself and how to be more social.”