PA Cyber Charter School graduates nearly 1,300

PITTSBURGH, June 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As one whose family emigrated from Turkey, commencement speaker and honor student Meral Korkmaz reminded her fellow members of the PA Cyber Charter School Class of 2012 that they live in the world's greatest democracy and are pioneer students in a new type of school.

Korkmaz is one of nearly 1,300 seniors in what PA Cyber CEO Dr. Nick Trombetta said is the largest single high school graduating class in Pennsylvania. PA Cyber holds two commencement ceremonies in the state, one in the east and one in the west.

PA Cyber graduates, most of whom meet at graduation for the first and last time, wear gowns and mortarboard caps, march in a processional, listen to speeches and walk across stage to receive their diplomas. As Dr. Trombetta thanks each one and shakes their hands, a speaker announces their parents, hometowns, scholastic accomplishments and plans for the future.

Dr. Trombetta said the growing cyber school is considering staging graduation at a third location because of the time it takes to present diplomas.

Korkmaz spoke June 9 at a packed Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Pittsburgh. Eastern Commencement is to take place on the evening of Thursday, June 14, at the Forum in the Capitol Complex in Harrisburg.

Meral Korkmaz, the western commencement speaker, is a daughter of Juksel and Canan Korkmaz. She was graduated with 26 college credits already earned from Chatham University and is to major in computer engineering at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering.

The eastern commencement speaker, Arig Elsayed of Philadelphia, is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elsayed. Graduating as a junior with seven college credits already earned, she is to attend the University of Sciences and major in chemistry.

Dr. Trombetta said about two-thirds of PA Cyber graduates plan to go on to college or training schools. Others will go directly into the workforce, begin families, enter the military or go on religious missions.

With an enrollment of 11,000, the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School is the largest and most successful K-12 public online school in the state. PA Cyber has made AYP three years in a row, and is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The website is www.pacyber.org.

Contact: Fred Miller, communications coordinator, 724.777.5918

SOURCE PA Cyber Charter School