Class of 2021 graduate Jason Robinson has always dreamed of qualifying for the Paralympic Games. In late June, he got the chance to do so, but it meant missing commencement.
His fellow classmates, teachers and school administration made sure Jason still had a proper send-off. 
On June 10, Jason was surprised with his very own commencement ceremony on the Jr./Sr. High School football field.
With his family, closest friends, many teachers and school administration in attendance, Jason – dressed in his cap and gown – received his diploma. Board of Education President Mr. Acee, Superintendent of Schools Mr. Migliori and Jr./Sr. High School Principal Mr. Saxton all offered remarks.
Shortly after, Jason took off for Minneapolis, Minnesota – the site of the 2020 Paralympic Trials. He competed in the 100m, 1500m and 5000m wheelchair races, posting season best times of 16.25 seconds, 3 minutes and 35 seconds and 12 minutes and 42 seconds, respectively.
Unfortunately, those times fell just short of making Team USA and representing the United States at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Jason, who has Spinal Segmental Dysgenesis, is an accomplished wheelchair athlete. During his time at Westmoreland Jr./Sr. High School, he competed on the Varsity Track & Field team. In 2019, he was named a U.S. Paralympics Track & Field High School All-American in the 100m, 800m, 1500m and 5000m – the first time he was named an All-American in four events. At the 2019 New York State Track & Field Championships, he placed first in the 800m, 1600m and 3200m wheelchair races, setting a new personal record in each event. He also won the 1600m and 3200m races in 2018.
In addition to his success as a wheelchair athlete, Jason had a cumulative GPA of 95.48, participated in several school clubs and organizations and was named a 2021 “Teen All-Star” by the Observer-Dispatch. In 2013, Jason and his family started the JRob Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that provides kids with adaptive sports equipment. They started the organization to spread a message of perseverance and inclusion, and demonstrate people with disabilities can be athletes, too.
Jason is attending the University of Illinois, where he will major in bioengineering and compete on the university’s wheelchair track team. He plans to remain active in our local community through the JRob Foundation by teaching elementary and middle school students about adaptive sports and sharing his message of perseverance and the importance of inclusion.
As for racing – Jason says he will be training at the University of Illinois and, if his schedule allows, will race in the Boilermaker. He also remains part of the North Jersey Navigators, a Paralympics sports team in New Jersey.
Congratulations, Jason, and best of luck in all of your future endeavors!
To view more photos from Jason’s surprise commencement ceremony, click here.