Marshall Area Learning Center graduate Jakeb Spencer shared words of encouragement with fellow graduates on Friday.

MARSHALL — Graduation was an important moment, Marshall Area Learning Center student Jakeb Spencer said.

“Today we stand at the end of what was, and the beginning of what will be,” Spencer told fellow ALC graduates on Friday. “It is a moment filled with happiness, excitement, maybe even a little fear. But if there’s one thing we can be sure of, it’s that each of us has earned this moment.”

Graduates and area community members took some time to celebrate Friday afternoon, during graduation ceremonies at the ALC. A total of 18 students received their graduation certificates during the program.

“Today is not just a celebration of academic achievement. It is a celebration of resilience, growth and courage,” said Marshall ALC assistant principal Daniel Hoffman. Each of the members of the class of 2025 had traveled a unique path to get to graduation. “But you are here. You made it,” he said.

As part of Friday’s ceremony, ALC teachers shared memories and recognized outstanding graduates in different academic subject areas. Aaliyah Azure was named Student of the Year in art. Liesel Gunderson was Student of the Year in language arts; Mistee Stark was Student of the Year in math; Jakeb Spencer was Student of the Year in physical education/health; Antoni Suar-Gutierriz was Student of the Year in science; and Nolan Vlaminck was Student of the Year in social studies.

Keynote speaker Brenda Elton said this spring’s graduation was a milestone for her as well as the students. Elton was retiring after 31 years teaching at Marshall Public Schools.

“This is my final graduation speech, and I’m so honored it’s with you,” Elton told graduates. “There’s something truly special about the students at Marshall ALC. They are determined to graduate, and have shown their resilience and grit to be able to finish high school.”

Elton shared a few pieces of advice with graduates. First, she said, they should choose their friends wisely. “Surround yourself with people who will cheer you on and challenge you to grow,” she said.

Another thing students needed to remember was that their thoughts mattered. “The way you think shapes how you live,” Elton said. “If you believe that you can overcome and succeed and grow, you will.”

“Finally, save your money. I’m serious,” Elton said. Saving and making good financial choices would help graduates in the future, she said.

Graduation was more than just a ceremony, Spencer said. “It is proof that we did not give up when things got hard. We pushed onward, even when the path wasn’t clear, even when things felt unsteady.”

Spencer called on his classmates to carry what they had learned forward into the next part of their lives.

“Let’s be bold in our dreams, fearless in our pursuit of purpose, and kind in our actions. Let us use our knowledge not just to build successful lives, but to create a better world,” he said.

“The future is not something we enter. It’s something we create,” Spencer said. “I believe in you all, so let’s go out there and create something amazing.”