/usr/web/www.marshallindependent.com/wp-content/themes/coreV2/single.php
×

MA-TEC graduates ‘overcome obstacles’

Photo by Karin Elton Chanda Bossuyt, MA-TEC student services, spoke on behalf of Kiara Donaire, who received her high school diploma Friday during a winter graduation ceremony. Also graduating were Paris Clifton, Melody Goltz, Cassandra Herberg, Liban Ibrahim, Arturo Inguanzo and Darren Nelson.

MARSHALL — Seven students at Marshall Area Technical and Educational Center stuck it out, persevered over obstacles and received a diploma to show for their efforts at that MA-TEC winter graduation ceremony Friday afternoon.

In addition to the graduation ceremony, two juniors, Eric Diaz and Eddy Flores, received their welding certificates. They participated in a welding program at MA-TEC and earned 16 college credits from Minnesota West Community and Technical College. Their welding instructor, Denny Long, was recognized because he will be teaching welding in Granite Falls for the alternative school in Montevideo.

Michelle Noriega, MA-TEC assistant principal, said the graduating students “are examples of what it means to overcome obstacles and keep going. Sometimes those obstacles are the consequences of the choices we make, sometimes they are the consequences of severe anxiety that paralyzes you in unimaginable ways, of incarceration or parenthood at an earlier than expected age.”

Kiara Donaire was 16 and pregnant when she first arrived at MA-TEC and dropped out several times but was “still welcomed back with open arms” when she came back, she said. Now pregnant with her second child, Donaire’s future plans, in addition to being the young mother of two boys, is to get further schooling to become a nail technician. Her advice to her former classmates is “Do not give up — keep pushing yourself.”

Paris Clifton’s future plans include continuing working at her job at Casey’s and going to college online. She would like to major in culinology and become a professional chef. Her advice to underclassmen is “just stick to it and never give up no matter how hard it is.”

Cassandra Herberg plans to keep working at Pizza Ranch during the second semester of this school year. She will then move to Willmar and attend Ridgewater College in the fall for professional photography. She has received a $1,000 scholarship. Her advice is “Do not give up on yourself.”

Arturo Inguanzo has enlisted in the U.S. Marines and leaves Monday to begin eight weeks of basic training. He will have a nine-day break and then he will have another 60 days of infantry training. He plans on being a marine for at least four years while he studies to become a police officer. His advice for students is “Don’t slack off. If you take school seriously, you will get done sooner.”

Melody Goltz is expecting a baby boy in May. In addition to being a mom, she would like to study paleontology. Her advice for MA-TEC students is “Take life one day at a time, and don’t worry about what you can’t do.” She added, “If possible, don’t get pregnant. Finishing school is so much harder when you are.”

Two students, Liban Ibrahim and Darren Nelson, couldn’t make the graduation ceremony because they were working.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.38/week.

Subscribe Today