Staff Writer
Loring Job Corps recently graduated over 60 students with around 35 students taking part in a graduation ceremony. Students on hand at the ceremony enjoyed a performance of the Star Spangled Banner by Barbara Cote as well as speeches by Student Government Association President, Quaison Malone and Daniel Bruno, student speaker. 
Aroostook Republican Photo/Andrew Dyer
Loring Job Corps Center Director Jim Gagnon is shown presenting Adama Sarty with her certificate. Sarty completed the Certified Nurses Assistant program.
Guest speaker for the event was Dr. Christine Corsello, dean of students at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Corsello was introduced by Dr. Dottie Martin, director of learning at Loring Job Corps.
Corsello encouraged students to never stop learning. She explained that she had recently been asked the question, “Do worms have tonsils,” by her nephew. She used the simple question as a reminder to students to keep the questioning mind of a child throughout life, and to continue to wonder at the world. Corsello also encouraged graduates with the words of Mr. Rogers.
During each graduation at Loring Job Corps, a favorite part of the ceremony for staff and students alike is the presentation of flower ceremony. The ceremony gives students an opportunity to present a carnation to the Job Corps teacher who has made the most difference for them throughout their time at the Loring site. Graduating students went out into the audience to present their flowers to the song, “You are Loved – Don’t Give Up,” by Josh Groban. The portion of the graduation ceremony left a number of tear filled eyes, for both students and faculty.
Students graduated with high school diplomas, GEDs and a number of vocation programs such as: Certified Nurse’s Assistant, Culinary, Carpentry, Auto Repair, Commercial Drivers License, Medical Records, Electrical, Masonry, Computer Service Helper, painting, User Support Analyst and Medical Claims/Transcription.
Local students receiving their degrees included: Phillippe Dube, of Limestone, who received his degree in painting; Matthew Lorraine, of Caribou, who received his degree in auto repair; Jason Searles, of Fort Fairfield, who received his degree in culinary; Wesley Skidgel Jr., of Caribou, who received his degree in culinary; David Therrien Jr. of Cross Lake who received his degree in user support analyst and Christopher Thibodeau of Van Buren who received his degree in masonry.
Students received their diplomas from Center Director Jim Gagnon along with Director of Learning, Dr. Dottie Martin, Director of Career Advancement Services Kristie Moir, Director of Community Living Brad Barbarula and Center Leadership Development Officer Vera Ford.
Following the presentation of diplomas, Gagnon gave a final presentation in which he encouraged graduates to move their tassels to the left. Students then marched out and met with friends and family in the lobby for a special gathering.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Andrew Dyer
During the flower presentation ceremony, portion of the Nov. 2 Loring Job Corps graduation, an emotionally charged part of the ceremony, each graduate presented a carnation to a staff member who had made a difference in their success at Job Corps. Shown here, Xavier Arvelo presents Kim Scott, career counselor with a flower and a hug.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Andrew Dyer
Students are shown turning their tassels at the end of the Nov. 2 graduation ceremony at Loring Job Corps.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Andrew Dyer
Graduates are shown listening to guest speaker, Dr. Christine Corsello, dean of students at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
