T-R PHOTO BY ADAM SODDERS — Students get ready to step up to the stage and accept their diplomas and degrees at the Marshalltown Community College and Iowa Valley Grinnell commencement ceremony Friday.

It was a night to celebrate for hundreds of Marshalltown Community College and Iowa Valley Grinnell students, along with their friends and family who filled the bleachers at the Student Activity Center Friday evening.

In all, 383 students took the next step in their lives after walking across the stage to get their hard-earned diplomas. One major theme of the evening was the role friends and family play in supporting student success.

“Without the support of everyone around us, it would be much more difficult to get where we want to be, maybe even impossible,” said 2019 graduate Kaylee Howe in her commencement address. “Please take the time to recognize those wonderful people who have walked beside you along the way.”

Iowa Valley Community College District Chancellor Chris Duree echoed that message in his last Marshalltown Community College commencement before he retires in June.

“You don’t get anywhere without the help of everybody around you in the audience,” he said.

College provost Robin Shaffer Lilienthal said she and the faculty, staff and administration hope students feel prepared and confident going into the world with their new diplomas and degrees.

“Regardless of the journey you choose to explore next, I hope you will always look fondly on your time at MCC or Iowa Valley Grinnell and believe that it led you to great things,” she said.

The graduates themselves were certainly excited with their accomplishments.

“It’s kind of weird, because you’re done with school, but it’s good at the same time,” said dental assisting program graduate Yaneli Regalado, who has secured a job at a local dentist’s office.

Fellow program graduate Emily Coughenour said she’s ready for what is next.

“It’s kind of surreal, it’s kind of crazy that it’s over, but it’s been fun,” she said. “I’m kind of glad that it’s over so I can go and start my life, but I’m happy that I came here.”

Electro-mechanical systems technology program graduate Drew Elliot said he was excited to graduate. The military veteran student sported his honor cords, denoting a 3.5 or higher career GPA, as well as his red, white and blue cord honoring his military service.

Cheers, laughs, smiles and happy tears were shared by much of the audience and the graduates as they came up to the stage to claim their hard-earned prize.