Craig Howell ENCOURAGING REMARKS – Zu'kyra Baltimore offered the closing remarks as part of Wednesday's graduation ceremony, encouraging her fellow graduates to continue working for their future.

WEIRTON — A partnership designed to provide opportunities for a group of local youths celebrated the accomplishments of its first class of participants Wednesday.

Officials and staff with WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center and Hancock County Schools gathered in the hospital’s Purewal Rooms to recognize the Project SEARCH Class of 2026.

Eight students dressed in the traditional red-and-black caps and gowns of Weir High School graduated from the program, which is designed to provide educational opportunities and real-world work experience to high school seniors with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Kelli McCoy, the hospital’s director of communications, acknowledged there was both excitement and uncertainty when the partnership began, noting it was the first time such a program had been brought to the region.

“To say it has been a success would be the understatement of the century,” McCoy said.

Students who completed internships in the inaugural class were Jayden McCallister, Tajeh Black-Majewski, Zu’Kyra Baltimore, Shania Lanham, Jayden Davis, Teesa Edwards, Aidan Nolan and Ezell Grays III.

Project SEARCH was founded at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, according to Carrie Gillette, who served as one of the program’s instructors. It has since expanded to almost 800 sites across 48 states and nine countries.

The first program in West Virginia was organized through WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, with Weirton becoming only the second site in the state.

“It is a collaboration between Hancock County Schools, WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center and the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services,” Gillette said.

In addition to classroom experience, the program offered hands-on work opportunities in 12 host sites throughout the hospital, according to Gabby Riggs, Project SEARCH skills trainer. Those departments included Materials Management, Transport, Central Processing, Security, Food Services, Laundry, Housekeeping, Facilities II, Maintenance, the Gift Shop and Pediatric Rehab Services.

“This has meant a lot to a lot of people,” instructor Kayla Violet said. “We are so proud of our interns.”

Clayton Henderson, chief operating officer at WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center, offered congratulations to the class for its accomplishments.

“You have demonstrated resilience and a willingness to learn each day,” Henderson said.

Baltimore delivered closing remarks on behalf of the class, saying participating in Project SEARCH helped her learn more about herself and the workplace environment while also teaching her the importance of teamwork.

“Every experience became an opportunity to grow,” she said, encouraging her classmates to continue seeking new opportunities. “Your story is just getting started.”

Hospital officials noted some of the students already have secured employment at the hospital as a result of their work in the program, and plans are in place for a second Project SEARCH class to begin in the fall.