001[Music] Good evening. That's a little loud, huh? All righty. Please stand and join me in welcoming the exit Delta graduating class of 2025. [Music] I ask that you please all remain standing and join me in the pledge of allegiance, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Please be seated. It is a true honor for me to welcome our graduates, their families, friends, along with our faculty and staff, our board of education, our superintendent, Dr. Esther Asbell, and our honored guest and community members. Thank you, and I welcome you all to the exit adult commencement exercises for the graduating class of 2025. You know, tonight we come together to
002celebrate the remarkable perseverance shown by our students in re in reaching a significant milestone. Many of you have balanced full-time jobs. You have managed households with children. and you still made it to campus to earn your high school credential. We are very proud of you. Each of you have succeeded despite facing major obstacles like child care, work schedules, transportation challenges, and so much more. And I now would like to introduce to you the Exor Regional Cooperative School Board Chair, Mr. Bill Gothier. Please come on up. Thank you. And thank you for giving me a couple minutes to speak tonight. Uh, congratulations. So, I'm the board chair, and you guys are all sitting there saying, "Wow, that's great, isn't it?" It's uh it's filled with uh late night meetings, early morning meetings, lots and lots of
003emails, uh budgets, budgets, budgets, budgets, line items, policies, reading policies. I can see you're getting excited, but wait, there's more. I do this for free. Yes, it is great. But I do enjoy it. So I asked him get a question. Why do you why do you decide to do this? Well, for me, I wouldn't have it any other way. I get to do this. I get to work with these great people up here. I get to see what students are doing. So I decided I made the choice. That's something that I feel is very valuable for me in my time. So last year I spoke also I'll keep it brief this year, but I want to talk to you about three things. Hercules, the supermarket, and the number 32,000. Makes sense, right? That's in everyone's
004speech. Everyone always thinks about those things. Maybe not. But I'll start with Hercules. So Hercules is this great Greek mythology character. There's a movie coming about about his life next summer. And Hercules was a young boy was uh was greeted by two goddesses. One called Vice, one called Virtue. And Vice said, "Hey, Hercules, come down this road. The road is nice. It's path. You'll have a nice easy life. You don't really need to worry about much." And then virtue said, "Hey, hold on. I've got a road down here. It's a little bit more bumpy. It's going to be tougher. There's going to be challenges, but at the end of it, you'll be met with honor. You'll be met with respect. So, we had to make a choice, which I know a lot of you have
005to make choices every day. He chose the harder road, which brings me to the supermarket. I think I met him in the supermarket about three months ago. And I was shopping. I love shopping. Takes me a long time to get through the supermarket. But as I was shopping, I had someone looking at me, kept on looking at me, and then finally they came up and said, "Hey, I know you. I've seen you before." And in fact, they said, "I saw you speak at my graduation last year." So last year, a student came up to me and said, "I saw you speak." And I say this as a pretty herkllin effort based on the student. They don't know who I am. They saw me for five minutes up here, but they made a choice to come
006up and say hi, to reintroduce themselves. And of course, I asked remember what I spoke about? And of course, they remembered everything. Okay, maybe they didn't remember anything, but it was impressive. They took action. They made a choice to seek me out and have a conversation. Brings me to 32,000. It's a number that I've heard many often that we make 32,000 decisions each day. Can you imagine that? 32,000. Now, some of those are trivial. It's probably putting on your shoes, what socks to wear, where am I going, how do I turn on the car. So, we could probably narrow it down to a thousand. And I've I've seen the number about 500 that you consciously make, decisions that you make. Well, you've made a decision to show up tonight. There were probably some tough decisions
007that you had to make along the way to get here. The person I met in the supermarket made a decision to come see me. So, maybe my words, but I hope you remember to take action on one decision a day. Just one. And that one decision, if it can lead to just something a little bit better every day. Doesn't need to be huge steps. Just one decision every day. And look, it you'll never know where you end up. I'm here tonight. I wouldn't have guessed this, but I decided. So, make your choices. Make them smart. Make good decisions. And Congratulations. Thank you. I want to take a moment to introduce some of the wonderful community resources that help programs like ours exist. If it wasn't for programs and community members like the exit Rotary members,
008the Lions Club, the Junior's Women's Club, things like the Pamela Please scholarship. We have received generous donations from people in our community that do not want to be spoken about with the help of the purchase of your caps and gowns. Today I just want to take a moment to just doesn't include everybody, but for the folks that are here, can you please stand up? I just want to take a moment to thank you for all that you do for our community. Thank you doesn't seem like enough. Um and we also thank um Exit Delta also thrives because of the generosity of so many of our nonprofits in our community that care and give back along with the continued support of the Exit Regional Cooperative School Board and our superintendent Dr. Esther Asbal along with the
009state and federal dollars with grants that provide opportunities for all students of all ages. We want to thank you for all that you do. Thank you. At this time, I would like to recognize our teachers, our staff who have encouraged and guided our graduates to their high school completion. As I say your name, please stand. Our adult diploma program teachers, Mr. Damn, Provost Mr. Kelly, Adam Cross, and Jeff Moretti, please stand. Thank you so much for all that you do. Our high and GED teachers, Jim Dhy and Sarah Stein, please stand. Thank you. Our counselors, Connie, and Julie Knight, please stand. And I feel like I say this every year, but obviously last but not certainly least, Tammy Gluck, Katie Walker, Karen Mets, and Connie Cullen. Please stand. They are the backbone of the operations.
010Thank you. And at this time, we would like to recognize our honoral and our students receiving special awards at this evening. So students, if you see your name being recognized, I'm going to ask you to stand and follow Sarah and come on up. All right, I I'm going to read the names and Michelle is going to read the award or recognition. So, first we have Clayton Agavich. Clayton, silver lining award. Always arriving with optimism, he brought humor and unexpected perspective to every class. Congratulations, Clayton. Joseph Barrett. Special recognition for sharp eyes and a sharp wit. He caught every detail and kept us on our toes for sure and honor roll. Erikson Brown work ethic. Eric, he tackled every challenge with pride, persistence, and commitment and doing the right thing. Honor roll. Grace Brunell honor roll
011Emily Clemens academic excellence for being a positive role model for peers and an active engaged participant in class. Congratulations Kristen, positive mindset. Kristen brought warmth, kindness, and connection to every class, lifting everyone around her. Congratulations, Kristen. Christa Darice. Dedication. Chrisa demonstrated growth through self- advocacy to master the material she needed to obtain her high. Congratulations Emily Day honoral Elizabeth D. Roer dedication for being an active and engaged learner who achieved her goal while caring for her family and preparing to welcome a baby. Congratulations, Elizabeth. Yaya Ashanta Grimes academic excellence for being a role model to her peers and persevering through while commuting from a distance and working multiple jobs. That girl works all the time. Alex Kelly, positive attitude for being a class role model and consistently working hard despite challenges. Congratulations, Maria Khan. Resilience,
012balancing life, responsibilities, and her studies while unwavering focus. Congratulations, Maria. Sophia Mansfield attendance and dedication. Sophia was committed to coming to class and dedicated to practicing math in order to achieve her high set. Congratulations Sophia Arya Mastro Yakimo vulnerability champ. Arya's openness and deepened trust to spark the meaningful and engaging class discussion. Honor roll Victoria Merrill perseverance. She was dedicated to completing her high set while preparing to welcome a baby. Congratulations Kirsten Morse Kirsten work ethics. She balanced a full-time job in multiple classes, putting in the time to succeed and graduated. Congratulations, Carsten. Nicholas Pike. endurance stayed focused on the goal, pushing through long hours and personal sacrifice to get there. Congratulations, Nick. Dylan Rean for moving forward with a positive attitude and a strong work ethic. Congratulations, Dylan. Bernie Rivas Academic Excellence Award for
013his tremendous academic progress that resulted in high achievement in all areas of the high set exam. Congratulations Bernie. Congratulations. Nicholas Turnbull. Nick overcame adversity with resilience, strength, and determination. Congratulations, Nick. Keith Zinder. Oh, Keith. The Tenacity Award. Keith's resilience and unwavering drive to reach their goals set a powerful example. Perseverance honor roll. Congratulations, Keith. Please join me in congratulating our special awards, scholarships, and honoral students. Congratulations to you all. Just a little ad lib. It's really bittersweet when I see you all because knowing that you're all going to move on. You become a part of the family. So, I'm super excited for you, but sad not to see you in the fall. So, congratulations. Um, tonight we are excited to in to introduce two exceptional student speakers. Each of these um students have followed a
014distinct and aspiring pathway to complete their high school education. For those of you that might be watching out there, for those of you that are here, this is adult education. So, one says, well, geez, are these adults? Like, how old are these students? I mean, our students range from 16 to 60, sometimes 70. And so we have two distinct speakers here that would like to share and showcase their resilience, dedication, and their diverse ways in which they've met their educational goals and how they've achieved them this year. So without further ado, I'd like to invite up Erikson Brown. Good evening everyone. My name is Erikson Brown. I'm from the Sandborn School District and I am 18 years old. I appreciate all who came here tonight to give me their time to hear me out. Back
015in junior year in high school, I was in a math class with none of my friends and I was just in that class to do what I needed to do. And then unfortunately life got in the way. Uh the teacher of my math class screwed me in with the rest of everyone else. He didn't try to understand my circumstances or the stress I was under or why I went to the bathroom all the time and why I was on my phone so much. I'm going to pause that story and tell you guys a little bit about giraffes. Um, everyone thinks that there's only one type of giraffe species, right? Well, not exactly. Um, recently researchers and biologists have proposed the idea of dividing them into four separate species. This is due to research from blood
016samples showing distinct differences in the DNA and even the fur patterns varies within the species. So where am I going with this? Um my class that year my peers and I were looked at to just looked at as like common giraffes with the teacher just an everyday civilian that was unaware that there were four kinds of giraffes. While other classmates were getting talked to for being on their phones every five minutes, for goofing off and playing their games, I was getting talked to for being on my phone and going to the bathroom so much. All while trying to figure out how I was getting to my aunt's house after school to help take care of her household shortly after her horrific car accident. I had been there for a week prior. Missing a week of
017school really sent me back academically. And unfortunately, my fur pattern was not recognized by the teacher. I was lost. There were very pitiful circumstances at this time and I honestly was at a loss for any hope until I was given an opportunity by Samorn to attend exit adult education. I am beyond grateful for this amazing program and I very much appreciate all the teachers here helping us and getting my fellow classmates and I where we need to be. They see us for who we are, recognizing our different patterns and enabling us to take our first steps into our next chapter. I'd also like to thank my dad, my stepmom, my mom, and my lovely grandparents who all want to see nothing but the best for me. I owe you guys my utmost love and respect
018for as long as I live. Uh, I'd also like to thank Michelle Vto for blessing me with this amazing opportunity here and to let me speak at the ceremony tonight. Thank you everybody. [Applause] We're really lucky here at Exit Delta Ed. We have a really close relationship with a lot of the surrounding schools to be able to assist students. We all know that one pathway is not doesn't work for everybody. So, we're really lucky that Sambborn and Raymond and um Courtsmith and Eping High School really work well with us. And so we're able to help students. So, and we're really lucky to have gotten a chance to know Ericson. So, thank you, Ericson. Um, thank you. Now, I bring to the podium Miss Maria Khan. Come on up, Maria. Hello, class of 2025, and a
019warm welcome to everybody. Thank you for inviting me to share my story. My name is Maria. I'm 38 and I'm an indigenous Puerto Rican born in Massachusetts. Earning my diploma through exit adult education program, challenged my changed my life. As a single mom, this program gave me a second chance and helped me achieve what once felt out of reach. Exit adult education program helped all of us graduates prove it's never too late to reclaim our future or believe in yourself again. I hope anyone doubting themselves knows this path is open to all. Now, I want to get the hard part the hard parts out of the way. They're important, but they don't define me. I'm a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and homelessness as a young adult. I'm choosing to be vulnerable
020with you because if anyone here has faced similar trauma, I want you to know what's possible. If I'd seen someone like me on the stage who had endured similar challenges when my six siblings graduated before me, I might have made different choices. I have many stories from my professional life like the one I'm about to share, but this is my greatest achievement yet. After being a stay-at-home mom, I decided to earn a certificate in web development. Even though people told me I couldn't do it early on, many assumed our team success was because of a man who worked on in a tech company. But once I chose my own teammates, it was clear I was the common denominator in every winning project. With new confidence, I set my sights on a specific company, even when
021my student coordinator warned me not to aim too high. I applied for a scholarship to the world's largest women in tech conference. I received it, met a company representative, and soon landed my first interview. My coordinator reminded me that most people do not land their first interview. She was not wrong. It's a tough industry. But I did. I got the job and I became a successful software engineer. Always staying true to myself. I achieved my goals by refusing to let anyone define my story. I chose to believe in myself no matter what others said, you have to do the same. If you believe what others say about your limits, you've already lost. I tell my children. If you believe you can't, then you already can't. Our minds are our greatest power and knowledge is our
022greatest gift. We have more resources than ever at our fingertips. And now people will tell you that you can't achieve, but you are the only one who gets to decide what's possible. I'm proof of that. Don't let yourself become a statistic. Empower yourself and write your own story. Now, if I had a six-f figureure job, then why am I here? Because I'm starting my next journey. I've grown and now I want to create. My dream is to own a mental health sanctuary. I'm going to college for psychology, combining my love for tech with a passion for the mind. I am dedicating my life to helping others, especially the younger generation. I want to inspire us all to live authentically, to share conventional and unconventional ways I've learned to heal and believe in myself. and I
023want to help people find their purpose. Now, if you thought I'd take the conventional path, you're mistaken. I plan to approach college the same way I always have, true to myself, even if it's different from the norm. I hope you'll find, as inspirational as I do, the beauty of being unconventional. Amelia Heheart, never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn't be done. Albert Einstein, if at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it. I will leave you with these final thoughts. Throughout my journey, I have little support. So, I set out to find my people, building communities of like-minded individuals. And today I run several empowering groups on meetup and I'm creating a website for Brain Lotus Communities where you can find us. If you don't have a tribe, go
024and find one. Look for people who will support and uplift you throughout your journey and accept you as you are. I promise they're out there. To anyone else who has ever felt unseen, unsupported, or alone, I dedicate this to anyone listening. No m matter your gender, your belief, the color of your skin, or who you are. If no one has told you today that they love you, I do. I love you. If you haven't been told congratulations, I'm here to tell you congratulations. I'm proud of you. This was hard. If you don't get to celebrate today, I'm celebrating with you. Go out there. Don't let that be your story. Celebrate yourself because you deserve it. Congratulations, class of 2025. Thank you for letting me share my story. Thank you to my kids, Uzi and my
025friends. And thank you for letting me Sorry. Thank you for Exiter adult education program for your wonderful support for allowing me a chance to fulfill my dreams. [Applause] Wow. Okay. So, graduates, it is your time. It is your time, graduates. So, Mr. Dan Provost and our team will be joining Dr. Asel and I by calling your names and awarding your diplomas. We can clap. Clayton Agavich, Joseph Barrett, Erikson Brown, Grace Brunell, Kyle Coleman, Kristen Spiklick, Christa Darice, Emily Daet, Elizabeth D. Roer Ter Boust, Amber Ftheringham, Yaya Ashant, rhymes, Finn Gazakus, Alex Kelly, Maria Khan, Sophia Mansfield, Arya Mastro Yakamo, Victoria Merrill, [Music] Kirsten Morse, Everly Olette, Nicholas Pike. [Applause] Dylan Rean, Bernie Rivas, Hunter Terraiano, Paul Tero, Nicholas Turnbull, Adelaide Elizabeth Turner, Samuel Van Gills, and Keith Zinder. It certainly takes a village. I hear
026those names and I see the connections of the students with their teachers and our staff members. Um there's Kim in the background. I forgot to announce Kim. Can you wave over there? Kim works with us. She's also from Samborn. Um, it it really takes it takes a village. So, it takes our community partners, it takes our school board, our superintendent, and everybody to make this work. And the connections that our teachers have with each of you really is so important. So, I just want to take a moment to really just thank everybody for all that you do for our students and the community. So, I'm just going to give a round of applause for everybody else. Okay, we're almost done, guys. So, um, tonight is more than just a ceremony. It really is a moment
027that holds every ounce of your effort, your coverage, and growth. You didn't just earn a diploma or your high set. As Maria talked about, you're rewriting your story. Some of you returned after years away. Some of you like Yaya are driving like 60 plus miles miles each week. Some of you helped others while completing your own goals. And all of you, you showed us what it means to finish strong. At Exit Delta, we often say together, everyone achieves more. And this class lived that you're you encouraged each other, showed up when it wasn't easy, and you proved that kindness and grace are strengths, not soft spots. We come from different towns, different backgrounds, languages, and beliefs. And yet, this campus became a place where people showed up for each other. where someone once doubted they
028couldn't finish high school. And now they're here standing in their cap and gown. I always talk about energy matters. You've heard me say it before. If you hang around someone with a dark cloud, eventually the rain's going to get you, too. But when you surround yourself with people who want to grow and who believe in you and who reflect light, you thrive. Find your tribe. Like Maria said, don't ever let someone else's limited idea of who you are shape your pathway. You are not too late. You are not too old and you are not too far behind. You are right on time and right where you're meant to be. So you go forward with pride and you carry those lessons of empathy, those lessons of strength and community. You be the light for someone else.
029Be the reminder that hope is contagious. Thank you. for allowing us to be a part of your journey. We are beyond proud of all of you. So before I present our graduates, I'm going to ask that our audience members please remain seated while our dignitaries and graduates we are going to process out of the auditorium with pomp and circumstances and you can meet your graduates in the main lobby for photos and a celebration. So, with that being said, and now graduates, I'm going to ask you to all pre-stand, even the ones on stage. Please stand and move your tassels from the right and to the left. And I now proudly introduce to you the exit adult graduating class of 2025. [Applause] [Music] Lost in life. For those feel [Music] Victory is Angels that would be
030enough by track [Music] an honest and open mind. [Music] That would be enough. stand. [Music] The game is angels.