Graduates at SLCC are urged to persevere in face of adversity
Mecham, who was chosen to be the student speaker for the graduating class, was already a mother and a wife when she decided to go back to school and earn her degree. She registered at SLCC and just as she realized how much she enjoyed being a student, the young mother encountered a number of life-changing health problems that easily could have derailed her academic plans.
Instead, Mecham stayed in school, completed her degree and encouraged her fellow classmates on Friday to not give up when life becomes difficult.
"I have learned no matter what mountains are in our way, if we are determined, there is always a way around, or even over, the top of the peaks," Mecham said. "We will all suffer setbacks in our lives, but life would have less meaning without struggles."
Keynote speaker Geralyn Dreyfous — founder of the Salt Lake City Film Center and producer of the award-winning documentary, "Born Into Brothels" — gave homage to the type of SLCC student, who, similar to Mecham, enrolled in school to have "a second chance."
A record number of 3,113 students — ranging in age from 16 to 61 — received diplomas, degrees and certificates as part of Friday's ceremony. The college also gave honorary degrees to Karen Gail Saxton Miller, a chairwoman of the school's board of trustees and a prominent member of the business community, and Jim Wall, president and publisher of the Deseret News.
Dreyfous encouraged the graduates to be "lifelong learners" who appreciate the importance of each of their individual stories and challenges.
"Hold on to your stories, listen to your voice, exercise your right to be part of our democracy," Dreyfous said. "Your stories are the body politic and the collective. May you speak truth to power and treat others as if they were angels sent from heaven and love to learn for the rest of your life."
E-mail: achoate@desnews.com
You can be the first to comment on this story.