Prince Rupert's Northwest Community College held its convocation ceremony on the morning of May 15, with 14 people being recognized for their educational achievement.
Among the presentations were four Associate Art Degrees, including the first one with a focus on First Nations, four Business Administration Diplomas, one Business Administration Certificate one Adult Dogwood and four Community Mental Health Worker Certificates.
"I hope this achievement you have picked up on your educational journey is one you take with pride and with the knowledge of the change that it can bring to your life and to those around you...When you walk out of this ceremony, you are walking into your future," said NWCC president Denise Henning.
"You have been building and growing your education. I hope your time at Northwest Community College has instilled in you a love of learning that you will carry with you...Education is a lifelong journey," added board chair Rhoda Witherly.
The importance of lifelong learning was echoed by keynote speaker Murray Smith, who told the graduates of his educational journey. It is a journey that included residential school, dropping out of school after grade eight, battling an addiction to alcohol and rediscover education as an adult on route to graduating from the Councilor Training Institute in Vancouver and getting a job helping those in need in Prince Rupert.
At the end of the ceremony, the Jeff Marvin Memorial Award was presented to Stephanie Watkins, the first NWCC student to graduate with an Associate Arts Degree with an emphasis on First Nations. Other graduates included:
Associate Degree: Kalyla Helin, Stephen Huddlestone, Jeremy Kuz
Business Administration Diploma: Michelle Montemurro, Kaitlyn Salm, Elizabeth Temple, Rosa Watson
Business Administration Certificate: Jessica Hakki
Career and College Preparation Adult Dogwood: Cameil Williams
Community Mental Health Worker Certificate: Chantal Bolton, Danielle Dalton, Shellee Ann Huddlestone, Lisa Muldoe