OLYMPIA -- Graduation is a special day for any student, but it is particularly special for foster youth, whose path to success is unusually challenging. About 350 young adults from across Washington will take center stage this month to celebrate their high school graduation.

Children's Administration staff, foster parents and volunteers, local high schools and community partners will collaborate to provide special graduation celebrations for foster care youth. Those celebrations will feature keynote speakers and youth will receive small gifts and information about post-secondary education opportunities.

Among the ceremonies are taking place:

• June 3 - Tacoma/Bremerton at the Best Western Wesley Inn of Gig Harbor, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• June 4 - Vancouver in the Centennial room of the DCFS office, 5:30 p.m.
• June 5 - Spokane at C.I. Shenanigans, 2:00 p.m.
• June 7 - Seattle at Safeco Field, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
• June 12 - Richland at the Cathedral of Joy, 6:00 p.m.
• June 18 - Omak at a Pizza Parlor, 6:00 p.m.
• June 19 - Yakima at the SE Community Center, 5:00-9:00 p.m.
• June 23 - Everett at Lombardi’s Restaurant of Everett, 6:00 p.m.

All of these young adults graduating from high school have demonstrated strong character and perseverance in overcoming obstacles. Several of these youth will graduate with honors, strong grade point averages and acceptance from prestigious universities, colleges and vocational schools. We are very proud to take part in these celebration events.