Alternative school graduates thankful for varied support

IRONWOOD - "Most of you don't know how important this school is to us," Trystam MacPherson said Friday at Gogebic County Community School graduation ceremonies.

"Many of us were told we wouldn't graduate, but here we are," he said.

MacPherson and 15 other students graduated, bringing the combined total receiving diplomas through the adult and alternative high school completion program to 790.

"Thank you for not kicking me out of school," fellow graduate Kristian Popko said.

The Sleight School gymnasium was decked out in black and red, the class colors. The program moved to Sleight this year from the St. Sebastian School in Bessemer.

Lori Struwe, coordinator of the community school program, said it was a "bittersweet" night for the graduates, who thanked their teachers, parents, family members and friends for the motivation they received to earn their diplomas.

The Class of 2015 has its dreams.

Class members' plans are varied, including Tessa Cleland and Marco Rajk moving to Las Vegas and Bo Whitburn relocating to Jacksonville, Fla., to begin a career in underwater welding.

MacPherson's plans were simply listed as carpe diem, a Latin term for seizing the day.

Marissa Weber plans on eventually becoming an art teacher.

The class quote was from the classic 2001 movie "Joe Dirt," in which the lead character, played by David Spade, philosophized, "Life's a garden; dig it."

Teachers Lisa Tervonen and Edwin Martinson handed out diplomas to 15 graduates, while Devvon Vetter was not able to attend.

A reception was held for the graduates at the school after the ceremony.