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The Pathfinders Alternative and Adult Education hosted a graduation ceremony Monday evening. At the ceremony, 24 alternative education students received diplomas. (Leader photo/SARAH CULTON)

Superintendent Paul Hartsig wished the graduates good luck with their future endeavors. (Leader photos/SARAH CULTON)

Pathfinders coordinator Kara Cox congratulated the students on a job well done. (Leader photos/SARAH CULTON)

Students receive their diplomas as they walk across the stage during the Pathfinders Alternative and Adult Education graduation ceremony. (Leader photos/SARAH CULTON)

(Leader photo/SARAH CULTON)

DOWAGIAC — A small group of students wearing long black robes moved red tassels from one side of a flat brimmed cap to the other Monday evening, smiling wide as a number of camera flashes hit their faces to capture the moment. Though the students varied in ages and life experience, they all had a common goal: to get a quality education.

The Pathfinders Alternative and Adult Education program hosted its 14th annual graduation ceremony Monday evening in the Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center. During the ceremony, the program awarded 24 students with diplomas. An additional three students walked during the Dowagiac Union High School graduation on June 3.

The Pathfinders Alternative and Adult Education program is a program available for students over 16 who want to work toward earning a high school diploma or GED. According to the program website, the program is tailored to meet the unique needs of the students who are on a nontraditional education path.

During the graduation ceremony, Dowagiac Union Schools officials congratulated the students on their accomplishments and wished them success in their future endeavors.

“Tonight is the culmination of a lot of hard work, perseverance and effort on your part,” said Superintendent Paul Hartsig. “You should all be very proud of yourselves. There are certainly a lot of people in this room that are proud of you.”

Not only did Hartsig congratulate the students for graduating, but he also encouraged them to continue their educations and to follow their dreams.

“Let tonight be your first opportunity,” he said. “Take pride in how far you have come. Take pride in how far you can go. … Your goals and dreams are on the way. But right now, you should smile, you should be proud and you should enjoy the moment. Be thankful for those who helped you get here and be proud of yourselves for being here. Follow your dreams. It will take hard work, but you have already proven that is something you can handle.”

Coordinator of the Pathfinders program Kara Cox also spoke at the graduation. She stressed that she was proud of the graduates for all they had accomplished through the program.

“As of tonight, you have a new identity. You are a high school graduate, a successful student,” Cox began by telling the graduates. “You are a success.”

Though many of the graduates took a nontraditional education path or had bumps along the way, they displayed courage, conviction and dedication to complete the Pathfinders program, Cox said.

“Coming back to school was a risk. Some of you returned despite having a bad experience or having difficulties or having life get in the way,” she said. “You checked those fears and walked through the door and started over. You did the work. Tonight you finished what you started. … Remember, this is not an end. This is a beginning. The skills you have learned will help reach any goal. Congratulations.”

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