LIMESTONE — One hundred twelve Loring Job Corp students celebrated their successful completion of the program by participating in a graduation ceremony held as part of the second annual National Job Corps Commencement Day on Aug. 24.
Contributed photo
Over 100 students graduated from the Loring Job Corps Center in Limestone this summer and about 15 of those students recently donned mortarboards and robes to participate in a graduation ceremony to enjoy some well deserved Pomp and Circumstance. Shown above are, from left, front row: graduates Brittany Fontes, Stephanie Cole, Shawn Campbell and Rafael Santana II. Second row: Thomas Hogan and John Burchett-Helton Jr. Third row: Christopher Naviaux.
Members of the audience that gathered to congratulate the students on their achievements consisted of recent Job Corps graduates, family members, employers, legislators, community leaders, and others. Not all graduates were able to attend the ceremony as many are already employed and working a great distance away from Loring. The students who did march were proud of their accomplishments and were eager to begin their careers and future.
Loring Job Corps, one of 125 centers located in all 50 states, offers at-risk youth a set of diverse academic opportunities and career pathways tailored to meet the needs of business and industry. Each year, Job Corps gives 60,000 youth a second chance to complete their education and advance into higher education or the military.
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| Contributed photo Guest speaker of the Loring Job Corps Center commencement ceremony on Aug. 24 was Superintendent of the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department Kathy Mazzuchelli. |
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| Contributed photo Student speaker at the Loring graduation was graduate Myasia Williams, who is currently a student at Northern Maine Community College. |
The Loring site’s commencement speech was delivered by Caribou’s Superintendent of Wellness, Parks & Recreation Department Kathy Mazzuchelli, who has worked with youth for over 35 years.
“Whether you are from the inner city, rural America or from somewhere in-between,” Mazzuchelli advised in her address, “life poses many challenges and many obstacles. The difference between success and failure is how we manage those challenges and obstacles.”
Mazzuchelli continued her speech, commending the students for making a positive choice by selecting Job Corps to help lead them on the road to success. She then outlined the many programs offered by Job Corps, such as nursing assistants, construction and computer technicians, as the country’s major growth industries. She offered the graduates hope for their future and encouraged them to continue with their education.
“Success depends on a life-long commitment to learning,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to communicate to your peers that you value learning. Make new discoveries and explore new topics in your career field every day. Channel your interests and your passions into your new career field.”
Other speakers at the ceremony included Sen. Susan Collins State Office Representative Phillip Bosse, who read a letter from the senator praising the students for their accomplishments.
“You represent Job Corps’ purpose,” Collins wrote, “which is to give individuals the opportunity, support and training necessary to succeed, and you reinforce the importance of education in our county.”
Center Director Kristie Moir read letters from U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud and Sen. Olympia Snowe, also offering their congratulations to the students.
In closing remarks, Moir stated, “There is a good reason they call these ceremonies ‘commencement exercises.’ Graduation is not the end; it’s the beginning. Graduation is also a time to look at what the future has in store for each of you. It is a very serious time, a time to look at what path your lives are going to take once the caps and gowns are taken off.”
