(Riverton, WY) – Wind River Job Corps held its graduation ceremony last Friday in the gymnasium at its Riverton campus, recognizing 66 students, 31 of whom walked, and completed training in a range of vocational specialties.
Wind River Job Corps Graduates walk across the stage to receive their diplomas Friday in Riverton. h/t Carl Cote Ivan Kremers gets his photo taken after walking and receiving his diploma. h/t Carl Cote Students, family, and friends applaud graduates Friday in Riverton. h/t Carl Cote Cruz Gonzalez cracks a joke at the beginning of his speech at Job Corps graduation Friday. h/t Carl Cote 
Graduates wear decorated caps during the graduation ceremony Friday. h/t Carl Cote Graduates are called to the stage Friday as their program receives their diplomas. h/t Carl Cote
Graduates were honored across programs, including Heavy Truck Driving, Carpentry, Heavy Equipment Operation, Electrical, Petroleum, Heavy Equipment Mechanic, Welding, Building and Construction Trades, and Medical.
Riverton Mayor Tim Hancock delivered the commencement address, encouraging graduates to stay the course as they enter the workforce. Hancock acknowledged that challenges are inevitable, but stressed the importance of continuing to work hard even when circumstances aren’t going your way.
Mayor Hancock shakes the hand of a graduate at Wind River Job Corps graduation Friday in Riverton. h/t Carl Cote In holding tradition, in a display of gratitude, Job Corps Graduates hand out roses to Job Corps staff at graduation Friday in Riverton. h/t Carl Cote America ldman and Sarah Rodriguez walk during graduation Friday at Job Corps. h/t Carl Cote Graduate Craven Garcia speaks to his classmates and thanks family and teachers. h/t Carl Cote
Graduates Craven Garcia and Cruz Gonzales took to the podium to deliver speeches of their own, mixing humor and heartfelt thanks in remarks that drew plenty of laughter from the crowd.
Academic Manager Janet Bates presided over the diploma and tassel ceremonies. In one of the ceremony’s more memorable moments, graduates presented white roses to Wind River Job Corps faculty as a gesture of gratitude – a fitting tribute to the staff who helped guide them through their programs.
The class selected Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” as their song, which closed out the ceremony and sent the newest graduates on their way.