Not a day has gone by within the past two years that Masato Wong has not talked excitedly about his high school graduation.
Masato has autism and becomes especially excited about events that are to take place in the future, explained his support teacher at Thomas Haney Secondary School, Ryan Neufeld.
So, when graduation ceremonies were cancelled this year because of the COVID-19 virus, Neufeld and a team of educational assistants who have worked with Masato over the years, some since elementary school, decided to plan a special celebration and recreate a graduation ceremony at his home.
“He’s been pretty excited for this moment and some of the things that come with it,” said Neufeld, who has been working with the 18-year-old for the last two years.
They would talk, pretty much every day, he said, about the stage, about walking across the stage to receive his certificate, and about graduation, in general.
They have even been practising his regulation strategies, or breathing exercises and different ways to help him stay calm to be able to enjoy his moment of graduation.
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Just before noon on Thursday (June 25), Neufeld and his team set up a small stage at the end of Masato’s driveway in Maple Ridge with the national and provincial flags standing at back. A podium was set up to the left of the stage and balloons on the right.
In the cul de sac facing his house, X’s were marked on the road where attendees could put their chairs to watch the ceremony.
About 30 people attended, including about 13 educational assistants, teachers and friends and family.
Then, as Pomp and Circumstance played from a speaker, Masato, in cap and gown, came out of his house followed by his parents.
His older brother, who graduated from Thomas Haney four years ago, watched from the road.
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Neufeld delivered the convocation speech before presenting Masato with his graduation certificate.
Then Masato, joined by Neufeld and each educational assistant, did what he had been dreaming of doing for years – he threw his cap into the air.
Colin Wong and Miyoko Kozawa, Masato’s parents, were happy to see their son receive his graduation certificate.
“It [was] a tremendous day that they put all this together, considering the situation,” said his father.
Masato will be returning to Thomas Haney next year for Grade 13 that will function as a transition year into adult life.
Neufeld will be working with him to change his current routines, like walking to different places or learning to catch the bus.
“So we will get him to go from home hopefully to a workplace, so that gets practised,” said Neufeld
“He’s very, very bright. He’s an amazing memorizer. He’s very engaging. He loves to be in our program. He loves to go to work,” added Neufeld.
“Just an awesome kid,” he said.
cflanagan@mapleridgenews.com
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