SKOWHEGAN — Regional School Unit 54 Adult and Community Education held graduation ceremonies for the class of 2016 on June 15 at the Skowhegan Area High School auditorium.

Bill Laney, director of Adult Education, reported that 60 students earned high school diplomas over the past year and 21 students marched in Wednesday evenings graduation ceremony.

RSU 54 Adult and Community Education graduates, front, from left are Annie Clark, Kim Mustafa, Viktoria Ek, Kristen Beane, Bianca Toolin, Bonnie Nolan, Olivia Moody and Whitany Danforth, and back, from left, are Jasmine Mantha, Jacob Brooks, Robert Reeves, Eddie Cabassa, Julie Courtney, Austin Wing, Amy Craig, Nicolas Hertler, Bobby Blake, Dylan Moody and Keiana Paradis. Missing from photo are Allison Wolfe and Raven Creamer. Contributed photo

Class speaker Kristen Beane Contributed photo

Students were welcomed by Tim Downing, chairperson of the RSU 54 Board of Directors and Brent Colbry, district superintendent.

In his commencement address to the class, Robert McGorty, director of the Lake George Regional Park, acknowledged the difficult barriers and challenges that many adult learners must overcome to pursue high school credentials. He praised the graduates for their dedication and persistence and encouraged them to continue their education or workforce training.

Graduates led the commencement exercises. Bobby Blake served as master-of-ceremonies, Keiana Paradise read a poem selected by her classmates, and Kristen Beane delivered the class message. The Skowhegan Community Band provided music.

Three scholarships were presented in memory of Alice Haiss, a long-time adult educator in the Skowhegan community. Graduates will use the scholarships to pursue a variety of college majors that include nursing, horticulture, and sustainable building and design.