By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Cassopolis Vigilant
MISHAWAKA, Ind. - Some of these graduates fed their babies, during their high school graduation. Others had husbands, or wives cheering their success. In all, 119 graduated from the Cassopolis Adult Education, receiving a high school diploma. An additional eight students received their GED certificates.
The setting was a dinner at Edison Lake in Mishawaka, Ind. and attended by staff, school board members, graduates and many proud parents.
One parent was also proud to introduce her son as the guest speaker. Sandy Rodgers, on staff, invited her own son Shane Rodgers to speak to the new graduates. He was valedictiorian of Ross Beatty Class of 1998 and is now a CPA with PriceWaterhouseCoopers accounting firm near Detroit.
Rodgers told the class the journey away from the "security of school life" wouldn't be easy.
He compared the diplomas the graduates received with a train ticket for their journey, adding a quote he remembered, "the more educated you become, you learn how much more there is to learn."
To really be successful, Rodgers said, you need to feel "proud of yourself," and "courtesy always pays."
Each graduate was given a rose to present to the person in their life who had influenced or encouraged them.
This year's recipient of the Georgia Davis Perserverance Award, Jessica Carlos, was not present, as she was with her husband who is in the service, in Kentucky.
Another Carlos, Martha from Cassopolis, received the outstanding Student Award.
The program is directed by Rhonda Schadler.