Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region (BBBSCR) hosted a graduation celebration and award ceremony at the State Museum of Pennsylvania on May 22 to recognize 90 graduating high school seniors in BBBSCR's program. The organization recognized both mentees and volunteer high school mentors. The graduating seniors hail from 18 high schools across Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York counties.

Among the recognized graduates are mentees who participated in BBBSCR's Beyond School Walls workforce development program. The Beyond School Walls program connects high school students with mentors from area businesses and guides the students in developing professional and life skills.

Four graduates addressed their peers and spoke about embracing leadership roles and the impact mentorship has had on the lives of all assembled. BBBSCR president and CEO Amy Rote also spoke to the graduates.

A total of $11,000 in scholarships was awarded to graduating seniors. These awards were BBBSCR's Elliott Riegler Scholarship for $1,000; three $1,000 scholarships from Capital Blue Cross; two $1,000 scholarships from the Hall Foundation; a $1,500 award from the Junior League of Harrisburg; two $1,000 scholarships from Stonebridge Financial Group; and three $500 scholarships from Jason Pruitt and the Lancaster County Community Foundation.