Noah Whitten Garbo was one of the “Original 5” students to start at the Emerald Coast Autism Center in August of 2009, and he is the first student to officially graduate! Noah worked extremely hard over the past year and a half and will now be mainstreamed into a typical school.

A graduation ceremony was held for Noah on December 16, 2010, which was attended by Noah’s family and friends (including all of his ECAC family as well). During the ceremony, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Noah’s friends, Megan, Jason, and Tyler. Following the Pledge, the graduate gave his own Commencement Address:

I am happy when I come to school. I am excited because I get to see my friends.
I like to play games with Jason, Tyler, and Megan. We play Sorry and Goodnight Moon.
I also like to push my friends on the red bike.
I am going to a new school in January. I will miss my friends and my teachers.

After the presentation of Noah’s diploma, the ceremony was followed up with a reception in his honor.

Noah will return to ECAC twice a week in the afternoons for therapy, so we can catch up on all his many accomplishments and hear about what great things he is learning in his new school!

Congratulations, Noah! We are all so proud of you!