It was a good day for 40 Alaska Job Corps Graduates.  There was praise, recognition, pride and a wonderful sense of accomplishment.  Alaska Native Dancers performed their “Goodbye,” song.  Colony High School Color Guard presented the flag.  Student, Tekoa Dumpson, sang the national anthem. 

The Alaska Job Corps graduates are:  Mary Otten, Vincent Bultron, Mary Epchook, Crystal Fleek, Travis Hale, Cody Hobson, Benjamin Noyles, Tim Roberts, Mary Kuwata, Shannelle Moses, Thomas Whitley, Katelynn Suarse, Samuel Timm, Corey Howard, Natasha Kramer, Nesta Pullen, Jomel Dizon, Pedro Irigoyen, Thad Phillips, Julia Pitka, Robert White, Christopher Mollica, Samantha Moore, Kelsey Overbey, Sierra Buckley, Cheng Lee, Anastasia Neketa, Sonya Nesbit, Logan Grothe, Holly Miller, Kyle Anvil, Alejandro Cruz, Kile Reichert, Elijah Todd, Winkson Crawford, Donald Lincoln, Christian Velicaria, Christian Sattler, Tavain Otis, Lawrence Carl, Jr., and Kaleb Thompson.    Their chosen class speaker was Tim Roberts.

These students received diplomas from Malyn Smith, the new Center Director of Alaska Job Corps.  Ron Young, Finance and Administration Director and Susan Van Gorder, Career Services Director also presented the diplomas.  Assisting was the student government president, Takoa Dumpson,  and Ileen Sylvester, Keynote speaker.  Ms. Sylvestor is the Vice President of Executive and Tribal services for the Southcentral Foundation.  She offered praise and inspiration for the graduates.   Two U.S. Senators, Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich, sent staff to offer congratulatory messages directly to the graduates.   Tina Cloyd, the Human Resources Manager for Alaska Job Corps, was the graduation emcee.  Career and Technical Training Instructors and the ACT Coordinator were also a part of the graduation program.

A presentation of flowers ended the November 18th ceremony, with graduates offering thanks and flowers to critical family, staff, students and friends who assisted them on their journey.