Photo by Karen Elton Chanda Bossuyt, MATEC student services, stands next to Alexis Tanghe as she sings “Flashlight.” Tanghe graduated from Marshall Public Schools Tuesday along with Eric Diaz, Katelyn Gednalske, Devin Malecek and Diego Montoya.

MARSHALL — Eric Diaz, Katelyn Gednalske, Devin Malecek, Diego Montoya and Alexis Tanghe finally got to hear the tune, “Pomp and Circumstance,” Tuesday morning.

After two postponements because of inclement weather, Marshall Area Technical and Educational Center finally was able to present its annual winter graduation ceremony.

Chanda Bossuyt, MATEC student services, told the audience comprised of family, friends and students that her job provides her with a unique access to the students so she gets to know each one. She told the crowd her impressions of the graduates, from when they first came to the alternative school until the present.

“Each brought something special to the school and each will be missed as they move on to the next stage of their life,” she said.

“Eric Diaz — when Eric came to MATEC he was quiet and shy and it’s been amazing to see him grow and mature. He was one of the first to attend a welding class and is currently employed as a brewer’s assistant at Brau Brothers using his welding skills.”

Bossuyt said when she asked staff members for a word that described Diaz, they said he is “kind.”

Of Katelyn Gednalske, Bossuyt said she was a “rock star” and “has always worked hard and is an honor roll student who is graduating early.”

Gednalske has a “kind heart to her animals and is hoping to be — and will be — a vet tech,” Bossuyt said.

Devin Malecek is “new to MATEC this year and comes from Idaho. He has also been on the honor roll and is extremely friendly and an avid football fan. Even though he has only been here a short time, he has made many lifelong friends here in Marshall.”

Bossuyt said there is one word to sum up Diego Montoya — “support. If anyone is having a bad day, you can count on Diego to be right there next to you, calmly listening with lots of compassion and no judgements.”

If someone is having a bad hair day, Alexis Tanghe is the one to call, Bossuyt said. “We call on Lexy to come braid our hair. She is extremely talented.” Bossuyt said Tanghe came to MATEC as a freshman who had a lot of “spunk. She had a lot of energy. Today she is graduating early and is a mature, talented and thoughtful young lady.”

MATEC teacher, David Wingert, spoke to the graduates about resiliency, “the ability to bounce back.”

He said overcoming obstacles like they have so far will help them later in life.

Gednalske was the student class speaker. She thanked MATEC “for being my family and helping me through the toughest spots in my life. I’ve never had a school care as much as this one. I started at MATEC in ninth grade and I never thought I would be standing here giving this speech. I never thought I’d be graduating. And now I’m going to college next year to become a vet tech and I’m so excited.” She left them with the advice to “do your own thing and get that bread.”