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Students with intellectual disabilities graduate from internship program aimed at giving them real-world job experience

Project Search graduates enjoy watching a video highlighting their accomplishments during the graduation program Wednesday in the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Community Room atop Cameron Hill. From left are, Wendy Evett, the program coordinator, the graduate's, Chris Konieczny, Martin Boatwright, and Brittany Barnett. Austin Mayse, can be seen, in back. Project Search graduates enjoy watching a video highlighting their accomplishments during the graduation program Wednesday in the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Community Room atop Cameron Hill. From left are, Wendy Evett, the program coordinator, the graduate's, Chris Konieczny, Martin Boatwright, and Brittany Barnett. Austin Mayse, can be seen, in back.

By Meghan Mangrum May 22, 2019 4 min read

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Program for students with disabilities

Garfield Adams, left, director of exceptional education Hamilton County Schools, presents Project Search graduate D'Angelo McReynolds his certificate Wednesday in the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Community Room atop Cameron Hill.

Project Search graduate Martin Boatwright laughs out loud after a lighter moment with Wendy Evett, the program coordinator, Wednesday prior to the first ever graduation in the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Community Room atop Cameron Hill.

Brittany Barnett, right, receives her Project Search program certificate from Garfield Adams, left, director of exceptional education for Hamilton County Schools, inside the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Community Room atop Cameron Hill at the Wednesday morning ceremony.

Project Search program graduate Chris Konieczny readies his neck tie before his graduation ceremony Wednesday in the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Community Room atop Cameron Hill.

Gary Steele, standing right, reaches to congratulate D'Angelo McReynolds on completing the first Project Search program at a ceremony Wednesday in the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Community Room atop Cameron Hill.

Siskin Skills trainer Mark Heydt, right, enjoys a moment with Project Search graduate Austin Mayse before Wednesday's first graduation program inside the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Community Room atop Cameron Hill. Program graduate Brittany Barnett, lower right, and Chris Konieczny, near left, listen to the exchange before the ceremony begins.

It’s graduation season, and students across Hamilton County are celebrating their accomplishments and looking toward the future.

Five Hamilton County students celebrated a particularly special milestone Wednesday as they completed Project Search, an on-the-job internship program at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee for people with intellectual disabilities.

2019 PROJECT SEARCH GRADUATES

Brittany Barnett, Soddy-Daisy High SchoolMartin Boatwright, Soddy-Daisy High SchoolChristopher Konieczny, Soddy-Daisy High SchoolAustin Mayse, Soddy-Daisy High SchoolD’Angelo McReynolds, Hixson High School

The students, who have all completed special education programs at their home high schools, spent the school year at the BlueCross campus, doing rotations in different departments and performing real jobs alongside company employees.

Brittany Barnett said she really liked her coworkers.