Six young adults with Down syndrome ended their college days as they started them with cheers

and tears as the Career and Independent Living and Learning Studies at East Stroudsburg University

celebrated the culmination of three years of study for students Alec Mertz, Lauren Coni, Sam Heller,

Brian Meltzer, Jessica Floryshak and Matthew Paladino.

The energy was palpable, the emotion visible as family, friends, and mentors gathered for the Program Recognition Celebration held at the Abeloff Center for Performing Arts on the East Stroudburg campus.

CILLS is the first program offered in Pennsylvania for students with cognitive disabilities to attend college and live away from home. After the three-year program, parents have a better understanding of the level of support needed for their son/daughter to be as independent as possible. The third year included an internship for each student that offered an experience to "work" in a job of interest.

During the ceremony Dr. Domenico Cavaiuolo, director of the CILLS, expressed his pride in the students.

"I am personally very humbled by your work effort and perseverance to strive to do you best. As you go out to work and enjoy all that society has to offer we hope that you think of us and know that we are thinking of you."

Parent liaison Patti Mertz complimented ESU staff members.

"This wouldn't have been possible without the hard work and commitment from each one of you. You have made many dreams come true!"

The, turning to those in the audience, she said, "It is my hope that your passion, dedication, and perseverance continues and enables many other students to fulfill their life-long dreams as well. May these six students be the first of many future students to complete the CILLS program."

Mertz praised Cavaluuolo and ESU's Special Education Department for putting together the ceremony for the six students.

"The planning, effort and actual ceremony was more than I ever could have imagined," she said. "This was a day that we will always remember and cherish."