Exceptional Center 'wizards' full of smiles at graduation

They also bid farewell to the old site. The school moves to a $13-million facility within weeks.

By AARON SHAROCKMAN
© St. Petersburg Times
published June 5, 2002

CLEARWATER -- Graduation at Paul B. Stephens Exceptional Center was a little distracting.

The words of congratulations, greetings of teachers and beautiful music were all lost in the pearly whites of Bryan Baker.

The graduate who led his nine classmates couldn't stop smiling. Then again, who could?

Fellow graduate Richard Barron couldn't.

Prom king and male student of the year, Barron wowed the crowd with a slide show presentation thanking his classmates and teachers for a wonderful year, probably the best of his life, he said.

The computer production, which took "a half a year," was finished in between building his own computer and networking his family's three PCs.

"The first time he took apart my computer, I was like, "You can't do that,' " his mom, Julie Swierenga, said. "He said, "Don't worry, I'll fix it.' And he did. That's his calling."

Tuesday's commencement also closes the book on Paul B. Stephens' home since 1980. By the end of the month, the school will move across the parking lot to a new $13-million facility.

"They are the last of our Paul B. Stephens wizards," principal Virginia Wirt said. "But they are truly the stars of tomorrow."

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