Note: This is the correct version provided by TSD PR. –gwlj 5/31/2023
TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Gabriel Cardenas
512-462-5372
[email protected]
FOR RELEASE JUNE 1, 2023
Texas School for the Deaf Graduation Ceremony
Class of 2023 Commencement
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Austin, Texas – June 1, 2023 – Forty-six graduates receive their high school graduation diplomas today at 2:00 p.m. at Texas School for the Deaf’s (TSD) R.L. Davis Auditorium, at 1102 South Congress Avenue, in Austin.
The school welcomes nationally recognized social media influencer, Renca Dunn, to deliver the commencement address to TSD’s Class of 2023. As well as her entertaining videos on her social media platform, ReallyRenca, Dunn is a reporter for The Daily Moth, an online news organization reporting daily news in American Sign Language (ASL).
TSD celebrates a year of students’ academic, athletic and extra-curricular achievements, including placing among the top teams at Gallaudet University’s National Academic Bowl, and sports championships for both boys and girls basketball teams at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf’s recent Bison Classic.
Eleven graduates received scholarship awards totaling $21,500, and 25 seniors have been accepted into post-secondary educational and training programs.
2023 class Valedictorian, Lydia Castle from San Antonio, excelled in numerous academic and extracurricular sports and activities, including softball, debate team, robotics, TSD’s Academic Bowl team, and won first place at Gallaudet’s 2023 National High School Debate Championship.
Salutatorian, Jayden Diaz of Austin, transferred from Chicago to TSD in 2017, and was active in Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL), basketball, baseball, football, and other extracurricular activities. His greatest accomplishment is being accepted to the University of Texas (UT).
Both students will continue their education. Castle will go to Rochester Institute of Technology’s computer science program, and Diaz plans to pursue a business degree from UT.
After 25 years as TSD Superintendent, this will be Claire Bugen’s last commencement ceremony in her official capacity. Ms. Bugen will begin her transition with newly selected Superintendent, Peter Bailey from Pennsylvania.
“This is bittersweet on so many levels as this is the last commencement ceremony, I will be leading as the school’s superintendent.
“Throughout the years, I have been so fortunate to see graduates leave the school and become contributing members of society. “Many have come back home to TSD to teach, or lead, or to enroll their children in one of the nation’s top leading schools for Deaf students.”
WHAT: TSD Class of 2023 Graduation Commencement
WHEN: Thursday, June 1, 2023
11:00 a.m. Senior-Parent Reception
2:00 p.m. Commencement Exercises
Keynote by Renca Dunn
WHERE: R.L. Davis Auditorium
Texas School for the Deaf
1102 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
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ABOUT THE TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF (TSD)
The Texas School for the Deaf is the oldest continuously operating public school in Texas. Educating Texas students who are deaf and hard of hearing since 1856, the campus also provides outreach and educational resources for students, their families and professionals in the field throughout the state of Texas. With educational excellence and a strong belief in a culture and community at TSD, students form a unique identity based on their individual strengths and talents. TSD is an environment where students learn, grow, and belong. For more information about Texas School for the Deaf, visit: http://www.tsd.state.tx.us.
Renca Dunn, to deliver the commencement address to TSD’s Class of 2023
SOURCE:
Download PDF format – TSD Graduation 2023 Final UPDATED