By Andy Furman
Point/Arc
Graduation – on any level – is a magical time. And for 54 years, the Point/Arc has performed magic with individuals with disabilities – so why should graduation time be any different.
The Zembrodt Education Center’s Class of 2026 will march down the aisle in their caps and gowns for diplomas, Wednesday, May 13 at the Gardens of Park Hills (1622 Dixie Highway, Park Hills). The class of 62 strong – with students ranging from 14-to-22 years-of-age — will be the largest on record – last year’s class totaled 52 graduates.
The magic of this graduation night will come to life as Daniel C. Schaffer – a magician and mentalist – is scheduled to entertain.
“I’m quite proud of this year’s class,” said Brandon Releford, M. Ed., M.A. HMS, Executive Director of the Zembrodt Education Center. Releford arrived at ZEC in July 2021, as its first Executive Director. “Our very first class has 12 students. To earn our degree, students have to complete one of our programs in a school year.”
Those programs are: Elevate Job Training, Career Exploration and One-on-One/Small Group Pre-Employment Transition Skills.
“Students receive innovative, interactive instruction to build skills necessary to succeed in work and life,” said Associate Director, Katie Lanham, who enters year six at ZEC. She said lessons include following directions, demonstrating enthusiasm, self-confidence, problem solving, initiative, accountability, and much more.
Varied work experiences in the community are explored in Career Exploration, according to Lanham. “Rather than providing specialized training towards one career interest,” she said, “This program gives exposure to a range of work environments and tasks. We’ll go to job sites in the community, and get first-hand practice. We have community partners in both Northern Kentucky, and Cincinnati.”
Small group instruction to learn pre-employment transition skills at their school; or within the community are stressed in the One-on-One/Small Group Pre-Employment Transition Skills program, Lanham added. Everyday skills like following directions, increasing communication skills, money and time management, and even practicing good hygiene.
To enroll at ZEC, a student must have documented disabilities, and an open-case with OVR – The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
After graduation, students can enter a four-year college/university, Gateway Community and Technical College, enroll at a vocational school or work with supportive employment – at The Point/Arc – for jobs.
“The growth of our Transition Program here at the Zembrodt Education Center has been amazing to see,” Releford said. “From twelve students to 62 and growing has been the goal. Our overachieving goal is to be able to serve as many students as possible in Northern Kentucky with intellectual and developmental disabilities and pour into them, skills they need to be successful in the workforce and beyond.”
Releford said the growth has been incubating relationships with schools in the region and fostering new relationships. “The schools have been an integral part of our growth, as we join to ensure the students we serve reach their highest potential. Secondarily, our team here at the Zembrodt Education Center work diligently to provide stellar pre-employment skills curriculum delivered in a multifaceted way.”
The magic man – Daniel C. Schaffer
“I am a magician and a mentalist. I found out I was autistic about five years ago,” the 36-year-old Schaffer said. “I love the mission at The Point/Arc. The resources they have certainly would have helped me. I wish I had known about The Point/Arc when I was a young adult.”
Schaffer claims the resources like communication, writing, talking – and even how to run a business – all in the ZEC curriculum – would have been a definite plus for him while growing up.
But he was too busy learning magic.
“Actually, I started when I was seven years old,” he said. “I was watching magic legend, Lance Burton on TV. He told the audience to get a penny – I did, during the commercial break – and place it under your pillow. He then said tell your parents, and you’ll see a dollar the next morning.”
Schaffer said he did – and he did.
“A magician can have many diversions and specialties,” he said. “Like an escape artist, or card tricks.”
Magicians, he says, are known for their sleight of hand, grand illusions, and visually stunning tricks. Magicians can make a coin disappear, pull a rabbit out of a hat, or saw a volunteer in half.
“The mentalist,” he continued, “is a unique breed of magician who specializes in the mysteries of the mind.”
Mentalists appear to possess supernatural powers of clairvoyance mind reading, and telepathy, but their secrets lie in psychology, suggestion, and keen observation.
He’ll be doing it all while watching 62 individuals graduate, May 13th