Mesalands Community College graduates 87

Mesalands Community College graduates should not just shoot for the stars but shoot for a better career, a better future and better version of themselves, according to student speaker Sadie McAllister.

McAllister addressed her fellow graduates during the commencement ceremony Friday at the Tucumcari High School auditorium.

Mesalands had 87 graduates that received their high school equivalency diploma, occupational certificates, applied science certificates, liberal arts certificates, associate of arts degrees, associate applied science degree and bachelors of university studies.

McAllister said she was honored to speak on behalf of the graduating class. She said Mesalands has given the graduates the foundation they need to move on to the next step of their lives.

"I will keep it short and sweet. We made it; now it's time to move on to our brighter future," McAllister said.

The commencement speaker for Friday's ceremony was former Sen. Clinton Harden, R-District 7, who began his speech with words of wisdom from former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson.

"Gov. Johnson told me that a good speech always has a good opening and strong finish, but most importantly, they should be very close together," Harden said.

Harden said community colleges are essential to improving lives through education. He said at least half of American undergraduates are enrolled in community colleges.

"I am convinced that one of the best investments legislators can make is in the funding and support of community colleges," Harden said, adding that community colleges help to prepare students to enter numerous and growing fields of employment. They provide skilled workers that employers need for industry needs to serve the community and promote economic growth.

Harden said Tucumcari is a perfect example of featuring the nation's highest classroom at the North American Wind Research and Training Center. He said Mesalands is always looking for new ways to help their students succeed.

"Graduates, as you prepare for the next step in your life, I offer you the following advice: Plan your work; work your plan," Harden said, adding that as graduates, those gathered have taken the first vital steps in the building of a successful future.

"You have stopped talking about doing something and actually done something to improve your futures," Harden said.

This year, Mesalands is honored to have four dual enrollment students from Tucumcari High School graduate with a certificate or associates degree two weeks before they graduate from high school, said Thomas Newsom, president of Mesalands.

He said Mesalands is proud to have had a part in these students' educations and to have helped them build a foundation in their secondary education and success. He said the students worked hard to get a jump start on their next level of education on a long road to their success.

Kayla Cherry was traveling that road figuratively and literally.

Cherry graduated with an occupational certificate in nursing, a liberal arts certificate in nursing and associate of arts degree. However, before she walked across the stage Friday night, she was competing that morning at the 3A state track and field event in Albuquerque.

Cherry qualified for the final rounds in the 110 meter hurdles and 300 meter hurdles in Albuquerque before driving 173 miles to Tucumcari to walk in the commencement ceremonies.

"It has been a very exciting and emotional day for my family and I," Cherry said. "It is beyond words to explain how it felt to compete in a state tournament in my final year of high school then graduate from college on the same day."

Cherry said after she graduates from Tucumcari High School in two weeks, she plans on attending the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque this fall to study radiology.