Richland County Children Services celebrates high school graduates in their care
Six students in the care of Richland County Children Services had a special graduation celebration Thursday afternoon at the agency at 731 Scholl Road.
Five of the six students were able to attend the ceremony, complete with food, family members, cake and presents as Children Services staff stopped by to congratulate them.
Recently married Destiny Milton is a 2024 graduate of Ontario High School who attended Pioneer Career & Technology School, where she received a certificate in welding.
She has just completed orientation at Whirlpool in Marion and is excited about beginning her new job.
Milton, 18, said her mom and uncle worked in factories and her late grandpa would be proud of her career choice.
"I want to become a firefighter," said Milton, who stopped by a Mansfield fire station to learn more about what she needs to do. "In the fall I want to get my EMT certification."
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Milton's aunt, Traci Trumpower, said she and her husband are so proud of Destiny.
"We're happy to see the successes she's had," Trumpower said.
Seated at their table was Richland Services' Chelsey Frost, whom Milton said "was the best caseworker."
Cameron Barnett, 17, said he just graduated from Buckeye Community School on Park Avenue West. He plans to attend OSU Newark campus to study architectural science.
Cameron said he likes drawing, writing and is very good at fixing things.
His foster mother, Bobi Ginn, said Cameron fixed her broken doors and door frames at her trailer.
"He's only been with me since Monday," she said.
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Cameron, who was drawing on a sketch pad while he chatted with graduates James Hettinger and Josh Reedy, said he is ready to take on new challenges.
Cameron said Hettinger is a former foster brother, and he knew Reedy as a former classmate at Thurgood High School in Dayton.
Reedy will attend Wilberforce University where he plans to study business administration and music.
Hettinger is seeking employment now that he is out of high school. Ayden Fowler is going to work at School Specialty.
Michelle Miller, executive director of Richland County Child and Family Counsel, brought a gift basket for each graduate. Laptops were given to a couple of students who are headed to college along with school supplies.
Graduate Ivy Bistline, who was not able to attend, plans to attend The Ohio State University and major in social work.
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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: 6 in care of Richland County Children Services celebrate graduation
