The Middletown High School Learning for Life students have plenty to be proud of.

On Dec. 12, the Learning for Life class welcomed faculty members to a “Meet and Greet” event, located in its recently renovated classroom, complete with new appliances including a stove, washer and dryer, cabinets, and sink.

The class, which gives special needs students extra attention and prepares them for living on their own, is taught by MHS teacher Kim Cashdollar.

“We teach them how to live independently,” said Cashdollar.

Renovations began on the classroom two months ago and were completed about two weeks ago.

Freshman Megan Dagenhart enjoys the new appliances because, “they are very helpful in learning how to cook and clean, because we will have to know how to do it [in the future].”

The students, some who spend multiple periods of the day in the classroom, also learn common school subjects like reading, grammar and math.

Cashdollar decided to invite staff members to come check out the new room because she wanted to “show it off.”

“It also offered the chance for the students to socialize with people, which is an important aspect of this class,” she said.

Students have been busily preparing for this event, baking over 300 cookies and getting the room ready for company.

MHS assistant principal Jenny Bartkus was one of the attendees; she took a tour of the new room and chatted with students while sampling the many cookies.

“This program is really cool,” said Bartkus. “I have so much fun whenever I come to this class.”

The new classroom was funded by fundraisers done during the school year. The Learning for Life class also plans to put on a country western show in March for faculty members to come see, as another way to fundraise.

Senior David Balog, who is a student aid for the Learning for Life class, said the students are extremely “excited to have all the new additions.”

He enjoys helping in the class because he “can help them learn more.”

While Cashdollar does hope to further expand the program in the future, it’s clear that these students will benefit greatly from the new room, which will help to develop self-sufficient, positive individuals.