OLYMPIA – High School Graduation is a special day for any student, but it is particularly special for foster youth, whose path to success can be unusually challenging.

This month,Department of Social and Health Services staff, foster parents, community partners and others across Washington are holding special events to honor the accomplishments of foster youth who are graduating or receiving GED (General Educational Development) certification.

"The transition to independent living has its challenges for all young people and it can be particularly tough when you're in foster care," said Children's Administration Interim Assistant Secretary Randy Hart. "We want these kids to know that we are proud of them and we are privileged to be able to recognize their achievements and accomplishments."

Community support comes in various forms. This year, 44 foster youth graduating from high school received Governor's Scholarship Programawards. Others are taking part in the DSHS Foster Care to 21program that allows youth to remain in foster care until they turn 21 if enrolled in a qualifying vocational program or college and received their high school diploma or GED.

The celebrations vary by area and sponsors, but all have the common goal of celebrating youth in foster care as they reach a milestone to becoming an adult.

Some foster youth will hurdle the challenges even further and graduate with honors, strong grade point averages and acceptance from prestigious universities, colleges and vocational schools. Amid the strains of "Pomp and Circumstance" are stories of triumph over adversity: one foster youth survived a childhood of Rwandan genocide attacks and refugee camps, another developed athletic skills that led to a full scholarship at a Spokane college. One foster youth in the Everett area is the recipient of a $64,000 Gates Foundation Scholarship; another with learning disabilities forged a path in technology that earned him a scholarship in computer studies.

Among the ceremonies and events taking place later this month:

• June 11, 5:30 p.m. Tri-Cities

St Patrick's Catholic Church Reception Hall, 1320 W. Henry Street, Pasco

Sponsors: DSHS Richland Division of Child and Family Services Adolescent Unit Staff Committee, Catholic Family & Child Services, IL Providers

Speaker: Sean McGrath

Governor's Scholarship Recipients: Genaro Contreras, Ashton Ruble

• June 12, 5 p.m. Colville

Colville Pizza Factory, 662 S. Main Street

Sponsors: Service Alternatives

Governor's Scholarship Recipient: Lavena Whitehead

• June 18 Yakima, Toppenish, Sunnyside

National Guard Armory, 2105 Airport Lane, Yakima

Sponsors: DSHS Children's Administration, Casey Family Programs

• June 18, 5 – 7 p.m. Thurston County

Tumwater Radio Ranch, 3102 8th Avenue NE., Olympia

Sponsors: DSHS Division of Child and Family Services, Washington State Employees Credit Union, Capitol Kids Connection, Target, Barnes and Noble, Coca-Cola, and Olympia Quilters

• June 23, 6 p.m. Everett

Lombardi's Neighborhood Italian Restaurant, 1620 West Marine View Drive, Everett

Sponsors: Kids Dream of Snohomish County; Yen Lui; First Presbyterian Church, Everett; Project Linus; Starbucks at Thrashers Corner; Smokey Point Costco; Marysville Fred Meyer's; Radia; Youth Net

Governor's Scholarship Recipients: Renee Hemingway, Garrett Nadeau, Supriya Patel, Reginald Reese, Dion Webb

Gates Foundation Recipient: Kyle Faltin $64,000

• June 23, 6 – 9 p.m. Ferndale

WECU, 5659 Barrett Rd, Ferndale

Foster parents can play a major role in helping youth to achieve their educational goals, but more foster parents are needed. Some areas of the state are especially in need of foster parents who can step up to change a lifetime for a young person. To apply to be a foster-parent, respite care foster parent or for more information about becoming a foster parent call 1-888-KIDS-414 (1-888-543-7414) or click DSHS, Foster Parenting, You can too.

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DSHS does not discriminate, and provides equal access to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, color, gender, religion, creed, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, veteran's status or the presence of any physical, sensory or mental disability.