Collage of high school graduate, Travis, smiling in his cap-and-gown. Next to a photo of him over a decade ago smiling in his daycare graduation cap-and-gown.

Travis: Every Step of the Way

Join us in congratulating Travis for graduating high school! It’s been a privilege to watch you grow and accomplish so many things. The Summit DD team is speechless in this moment, but luckily your mom has all the right words!

Guest Writer: Tonigail Travis

I am overflowing with pride as I reflect on Travis’s incredible journey and the fact that he has officially graduated from high school! I can still see him on his very first day at the old Summit DD Calico Preschool, those tiny steps into a world full of unknowns. I remember his first graduation, filled with smiles and excitement, and now, here we are—celebrating his graduation from Total Education Solutions on May 23, 2025. What an emotional roller coaster it has been! There have been moments of tears, laughter, uncertainty, and joy, but through it all, it’s been a beautiful, unforgettable ride. Travis has grown in ways I never imagined, and watching him stand and receive his diploma was one of the proudest moments of my life.

Now, he’s stepping into a new chapter at Individual Outcomers, an adult daycare program that brings me a mix of nerves and excitement. Knowing that some of the people there already know Travis from his time around town and his short stay at Out-of-the-Box Academy brings me great comfort. I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m trusting God every step of the way. I especially want to thank Michelle Tokar, his dedicated Summit DD SSA, who has walked this journey with us. Without her, I truly don’t think I could have made it through half of the challenges we’ve faced. Her kindness, understanding, and unwavering support mean the world to me. Being a mother of a child with special needs is not for the weak—it requires a strength only God can give. That’s why I helped write For the Love Of, to remind other mothers that they are not alone. There is a village out there—you just have to reach out. Summit DD has been that village for us, and I will always be thankful. Travis will forever be a Summit DD kid, and I’ll forever be his biggest cheerleader.

Collage of young man, Travis, in his high school graduation cap-and-gown. Next to photos of him smiling at his daycare program as a child over a decade ago.

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