JAY — It was the end of one journey and the beginning of another for the 14 students who graduated from Spruce Mountain Adult & Community Education on Thursday.

“Education is truly the key to unlocking possibilities,” said Adult Education Director Robyn Raymond in her address.

It was an evening to celebrate the accomplishments of not only the graduates but also those taking part in the other Spruce Mountain adult education programs.

Raymond noted that many paper mill workers who lost their jobs at Verso’s Androscoggin Mill in Jay had entered into the heating, ventilation and air- conditioning program that was offered.

“This is home to all of us,” she said. “Everyone deserves a chance to rebuild where they planted their roots.”

State Rep. Tina Riley, D-Jay, keynote speaker, said her mother struggled to get her college degree and also taught school while raising three children.

“When I graduated from high school, I didn’t see a path forward to college,” she said.

Riley worked a series of part-time jobs with no paid vacation time and no health insurance. She went back to school and completed an apprenticeship, then worked 10 years before earning her associate degree from Kennebec Valley Community College.

Riley later earned her bachelor’s degree. She expressed how much she valued education.

“Over time, what you’ll build you’ll never lose,” she said. “Your actions are your only true possessions.

“The great joy that I found was to turn around and give back,” she continued. “I hope you will always look to who you can turn around to and help.”

Tom Nash, president of the National Coalition on Adult Basic Education and Adult Education director for Windham/Raymond, was the guest speaker. He urged students to be kind and to stick up for the vulnerable in society while thanking others for their contributions to a better world.

Be persistent, urged Nash.

“I would never have graduated from high school if the statistics had applied to me,” he said. “I spent most of my childhood several reading grade levels behind my class.”

Despite his struggles with reading, and the divorce of his parents at a young age, Nash graduated in the top 10 percent of his class.

Student speaker Thomas Valeriani said it took him four years to earn his high school diploma after enrolling in the Spruce Mountain Adult Education program. With encouragement from his family and the adult education instructors, he is a graduate of the Class of 2017.

“I will push myself to overcome all obstacles in my way,” Valeriani said. “I hope the graduating Class of 2017 will do the same.”

The Class of 2017 graduates are: April Collins, Kayla Emerson, Joshua Grant, Kaili Grant, Tina Martin, Joseph Marcotte, Joseph Metcalf, Meghan Moore, Devin Penney, Bradine Robbins, Rilynn Snow, Thomas Valeriani, and two students who wished to remain anonymous.

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