Northfield, Vt.
The students who received associate degrees included almost 50 from the Upper Valley, 41 veterans and active service members, and a range of ages — the oldest graduate was 66; the youngest, 17. Together they represented 18 different countries, according to CCV.
In addition to the conferred degrees, several individual graduates also were recognized for their academic and community service accomplishments.
Spectrum Youth and Family Services Executive Director Mark Redmond gave the commencement address to the Class of 2016. In it, he discussed the important role perseverance plays in pursuing and achieving goals, lauding the graduates for the perseverance they showed in completing their degrees.
“I can only imagine the challenges and difficulties some of you have overcome while in school,” Redmond said. “… But you did it. You didn’t give up. You got your college degree. … Very few people make it to the point you have.”
Student speaker Ashley Andreas, a White River Junction resident and single mother who is part of the Upper Valley Young Liberals group, encouraged the graduates to enact change in the world.
“While our individual successes are valuable and something to be proud of, I believe we sell ourselves short if we don’t give back to our communities and empower every person we come in contact with,” she said. “I believe my impact on others defines who I am. I have always been inspired by people who put the greater good of others before their own personal gains.”
College President Joyce Judy, who officiated the event, reminded the students that though their individual roads to education have differed and they are about to embark on different paths, they will remain united through the memories made and qualities gained in their time at CCV.
Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin also was on hand to extend congratulations to the graduates.
“You will be the best Vermonters because you know how to fight,” Shumlin said. “You know how to overcome obstacles. You know how to make it work. You know how to use your imagination and your courage and your determination and your incredible intellect to get where you are right now.
“And I see in front of me huge successes ahead in each and every one of you.”
CCV graduates from the Upper Valley, as provided by the college: Adrienne Twombly Abbott, Bethel; Manal Ali Abdelghani, White River Junction; Ashley Andreas, White River Junction; Noreen S. Arnold, White River Junction; Lisa Banks, White River Junction; Rachael Marie Bienvenu, Hartland; Dylan M. Blair, White River Junction; Angie L. Blake, West Newbury, Vt.; Andrew Paul Bontrager, Bridgewater Corners; Lauren Clancy, Newbury, Vt.; Kristal L. Clark, Bridgewater Corners; Nick Clark, White River Junction; Mary Jo Colbeck, Strafford; Rebecca Courtemanche, White River Junction; Lisa M. Crump, Hartford; Jacey Lynn Emerson, Bradford, Vt.; Laura Files, White River Junction; Amelia Louise Madeliene Gilchrist, Hartland; Amy J. Harrington, Windsor; Krista Lee Harris, Woodstock; Alexander Christopher Head, Georges Mills; Kenneth Hendra, Lebanon; Rachel Ann Hookway, Bradford, Vt.; Tonya Jean Hoyt, Hartford; Rhianna S. Hutchins, White River Junction; Arianna M. Keenan, Vershire; Yetzika K. Kinsman, Bradford, Vt.; Jodie Lynn Lang, Haverhill; Haley May LeBlanc, Fairlee; Zachary N. Lichvar, Fairlee; Kellie L. MacInnes, Lebanon; Mayellen Elizabeth Matson, South Strafford; Sean Allen McRae, Bethel; Jacquelynn Moulton, East Corinth; Wade Richard Mullins, Reading; Clancy Veronica Nolan, Hanover; Amanda Marie Perry, North Hartland; Lisa Ann Pike, Bradford, Vt.; Jonathan Pomaika’iokalani Pornelos, White River Junction; Faith M. Radicioni, South Royalton; Angela M. Rose, Hartford; Svetlana Slessova, Hartford; Demetra L. Small, South Royalton; Joseph Earl Stone Jr., Bridgewater Corners; Adam Remington Tatro, Hartford; Nellie Lisa Walitynski, Hartford; Sandra Williams-Crossley, Woodstock.