MONROE - Friday's Monroe Alternative Charter School's graduation was a time to look back and a time to look forward.
"I know some of you have overcome obstacles and persevered to make it to this point in your lives," charter school assistant principal Melissa Wiegel told the 14 students in the graduating class. "Your journey begins now."
The families and friends who attended the graduation saw slides of the students as children and teens and laughed at some of the more outrageous pictures.
They also heard why the charter school is important to all of the graduates.
"The charter school is a place where struggling students can get a second chance," graduate Tawnie Neuenschwander-Luebke said. "All of the teachers strive to make a difference.
"The charter school is more than just a school. It's a family."
Teacher Jeff Bakken told stories about each of the graduates, and told them they left an impression on their teachers.
"You've given us so many memories. Thank you," Bakken said.
The graduates have already made plans for the future. Some will attend college in the fall; some will enter the military; and some will enter the work force.
They'll take with them the lessons they learned in and out of the classroom, Bakken said.
"(Former charter school principal) Dan Bauer started the charter school 12 years ago," Bakken said. "He believed students can learn the basics along with life lessons."
Students graduating from the Monroe Alternative Charter School are: Donald Alexander, Molly Allen, William Ellison, Tyler Grindle, Amber Johnson, Hannah Johnson, Cammy Jenkins, Daniel Lartz, Jacob Leighty, Neuenschwander-Luebke, Alicia Parr, Michael Rothenbuehler, Brayle Svendsen and Braxton Walton.
"I know some of you have overcome obstacles and persevered to make it to this point in your lives," charter school assistant principal Melissa Wiegel told the 14 students in the graduating class. "Your journey begins now."
The families and friends who attended the graduation saw slides of the students as children and teens and laughed at some of the more outrageous pictures.
They also heard why the charter school is important to all of the graduates.
"The charter school is a place where struggling students can get a second chance," graduate Tawnie Neuenschwander-Luebke said. "All of the teachers strive to make a difference.
"The charter school is more than just a school. It's a family."
Teacher Jeff Bakken told stories about each of the graduates, and told them they left an impression on their teachers.
"You've given us so many memories. Thank you," Bakken said.
The graduates have already made plans for the future. Some will attend college in the fall; some will enter the military; and some will enter the work force.
They'll take with them the lessons they learned in and out of the classroom, Bakken said.
"(Former charter school principal) Dan Bauer started the charter school 12 years ago," Bakken said. "He believed students can learn the basics along with life lessons."
Students graduating from the Monroe Alternative Charter School are: Donald Alexander, Molly Allen, William Ellison, Tyler Grindle, Amber Johnson, Hannah Johnson, Cammy Jenkins, Daniel Lartz, Jacob Leighty, Neuenschwander-Luebke, Alicia Parr, Michael Rothenbuehler, Brayle Svendsen and Braxton Walton.