Walsh Academy will honor 17 graduating students during its second annual commencement ceremony on Friday, May 30, at its Niles campus, recognizing their academic achievements and personal growth.
The ceremony marks a milestone for Walsh Academy, which serves students navigating emotional, behavioral or educational challenges. For many graduates, the event represents not just the end of high school, but a hard-earned moment of triumph over adversity.
“We are incredibly proud of our graduates and the paths they’ve taken to get here,” said Dr. Ann Craig, Ed.D., principal of Walsh Academy and director of educational services. “Their individual aspirations are diverse and promising, with many pursuing post-secondary educations, enrolling in specialized training programs or transitioning directly into the workforce.”
Craig praised the resilience and determination of this year’s class and expressed confidence in their future success.
The commencement address will be delivered by bestselling author and speaker Michael Menard, whose memoir, “The Kite That Couldn’t Fly,” chronicles his own experiences with childhood trauma and the journey to healing. A former alternative education student, Menard now writes and speaks nationally on resilience, mental health and personal transformation.
His address, titled “Becoming Visible: A Letter to My 18-Year-Old Self,” is expected to resonate deeply with the graduates. Drawing on his own story, Menard will explore how traits that once made school difficult—such as intensity, sensitivity and strong protective instincts—later became powerful assets in adulthood.
“Part of my message is affirming that our differences are not deficiencies but potential gifts to a world in need of new perspectives,” Menard said. “Through honest reflection on both triumphs and ongoing battles, I offer the Walsh Academy graduates a profound truth: that their resilience in the face of adversity reveals a core strength that nothing can destroy.”
His speech is not just about inspiration – it’s about recognition, seeing each graduate not as a problem to be fixed, but as a person with inherent dignity, worth and the potential to transform personal pain into powerful purpose.
Menard said his journey from a struggling student to global business leader, inventor, entrepreneur and author demonstrates what is possible when potential meets perseverance. “My story is of redemption and hope. It mirrors the very possibilities that await our graduates,” he said.
This summer, Menard will release three new books, “Greater Than Gravity,” “Whispers of Hope: 365 Truths for the Weary Soul” and a children’s version of “The Kite That Couldn’t Fly.” Menard has dedicated his life to raising awareness and preventing childhood trauma as the founder of United Against Childhood Trauma.
“Having a speaker who can speak so personally about overcoming adversity is the perfect way to honor our students’ journeys,” Craig said.
The ceremony will be held at Walsh Academy’s Niles campus at 6935 W. Touhy Avenue, at 10:30 a.m., and will include remarks from students, staff and special guests.
Walsh Academy, a program of Maryville Academy, is a comprehensive therapeutic high school serving students who face emotional, behavioral or academic challenges. The school provides trauma-informed care and individualized education designed to help students reach their full potential.
