2001 graduation ceremony for Skagit Valley College San Juan Center

posted 06/08/01
Three years ago, Lesha Hoffman signed up for an accounting class at Skagit Valley College San Juan Center. She hoped to learn enough to start her own business and work from home. Yesterday, she graduated from Skagit with much more than a few accounting credits. " This experience has reawakened in me a desire to make a difference in the world," she said. "In short, I'm back, I'm energized and I'm up for the challenge." She plans to earn a teaching degree and teach at her tribe's homeland in Michigan.

Eight of the nine graduates of San Juan Center Class of 2001 participated in the afternoon ceremony attended by faculty, family and friends. Four of the students, Collin Brennan, Johnathan Mason, Leo Sooter and Tarot Stephens will also graduate from high school this week. They were part of the Running Start program. Students can earn their high school diploma and college credit at the same time.

The students selected Dr. Robert Littlewood as the faculty representative speaker. Saying he wasn't one to pass up a microphone and a captive audience he shared his views. "The purpose of education is to obtain smarts and wisdom. We're long on smarts, not so long on wisdom," he said. "We will all buy myths and fantasies," he said. "Your task is to determine what's being sold, who's selling it, and what's their motive." He urged the students to take a step back, examine their choice, then reenter and live it.

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