Not all graduates of the Colusa County Adult School and William S. Abel Academy’s Class of 2022 donned caps and gowns for the formal ceremony on May 26, but all 15 students who received their high school diplomas were nonetheless celebrated.
The commencement exercise, held at the Education Village in Williams, honored community school and adult school graduates who hit road bumps along the way to completing their high school educations.
The ceremony also recognized a number of adults who went back to school to advance their education, learn a particular skill, or learn English as a second language.
All were stars in their own right, said Lorilee Niesen, Director of Educational Services, who serves as principal of the Colusa County Office of Education’s adult school.
Only four high school students participated in the actual graduation ceremony, well attended by CCOE staff and the graduates’ family and friends.
Marcos Vargas, in a black cap and gown, received his diploma from the Academy, an alternative high school program named in honor of retired Colusa County Superior Court Judge William S. Abel. His three 2022 classmates, Philip Flannery, Autumn Humphrey, and Jovani Moreno were awarded their diplomas prior to the ceremony and have entered the workforce or made plans to further their education, Niesen said.
Briana Norman, Jacquline Hernandaz, and Yuliana Nieto donned similar graduation attire to receive their diplomas from the Colusa County Adult School. Nine others graduated earlier.
Mike West, Colusa County Superintendent of Schools, said despite interruptions to their education, the graduates have proven to him that they are prepared to face a world that has both opportunities and challenges.
Judge Abel, who gave the keynote address, encouraged the students to do their best in whatever endeavor they choose.
“You can achieve whatever you set out to achieve, realizing that you have to work really hard,” Abel told them.
In addition to the high school graduates, Niesen recognized adults of all ages who completed various coursework.
In addition to high school, Colusa County adult school offers a certified nursing assistant program and provides career technical education and citizenship classes. ■