Not all high school graduates appreciate their accomplishment. For many, a high school diploma is something they earned for their parents.
However, for the 126 who picked up diplomas at Wednesday night's Alpine School District Adult High School graduation, their accomplishment is something to appreciate. Ranging from 18 to 60 years of age, a high school diploma did not come easy for these graduates."I've set a lot of goals in my life, but this is one that I can say I really accomplished," said Suzanne Mecham.
As Mecham recently told her son who wants to become a police officer, anyone can become anything if they have the determination.
"I have said this so many times to my kids, but I never really stopped to think how this would apply to me until one day I couldn't get an interview for a job. Then it was my turn to ask, do I think I can do it?"
Like many others, Landus Buck said fear mixed with past failures made high school difficult for him. He quit trusting himself and began believing he would fail.
"But obviously I didn't or I wouldn't be here this evening," he said. "I had to find something or someone absolutely trustworthy."
Perhaps the most appreciative graduate, 60-year-old Barbara Sisson, said support from her family and encouragement from instructors gave her the confidence to succeed. She learned good study habits and started enjoying her school work.
"By the end of last summer I could hardly wait for the new school year to start. Learning was something I looked forward to. I became more confident as my memory improved and just knowing I could accomplish my goals helped my self-esteem improve," she said.
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Alpine Adult High School
Location: Orem High School, 175 S. 400 East.
Graduation theme: "They can because they think they can."
Number of graduates: 126
Valedictorian: Linda Clegg
Speakers: Linda Clegg, Landus Buck, Barbara Sisson and Suzanne Mecham.