College graduates 363 students with class of 2019

Three friends mingled among over 360 classmates on Friday, savoring the moments before lining up to take the walk they would finish as graduates of Flathead Valley Community College’s class of 2019.

A total of over 380 certificates and degrees given at the school’s 51st commencement ceremony marked the next step in the graduates’ lives.

The three friends were each taking a different path, but praised the educational foundation they received in their time at FVCC.

Mollie Fisher, 20, planned to pursue a degree in nursing at Montana State University this fall.

“It’s been a tough couple of years,” she said. “I did a lot of hard classes, but the teachers here are amazing.”

She hoped to maintain her strong GPA and looked forward to participating in the Kalispell program.

For Erin Schleusner, 20, college led her past her initial ambitions of becoming a radiology technician to a whole new career goal in criminal justice.

While savoring the opportunity to put to use her skills in competitive shooting, Schleusner said she also felt drawn to the forensics side of criminal justice. She started her career at FVCC as a sophomore in high school through the Running Start Program.

Darian Enders, 21, had her sights set on becoming a veterinarian.

Having participated in the school’s logger sports team with no prior experience, she said she would cherish the lessons she learned at FVCC.

“Don’t be afraid to get involved and jump into any of the extra curriculars,” she said. “Just have a great time.”

“Don’t be afraid to try new things,” she added.

The line of graduates entered in a parade of black robes and some artfully decorated caps to the applause of loved ones gathered in the tent on the campus lawn to support them.

This year’s student speaker, two-year Student Government President Emily Baker, asked her fellow graduates the question, “How important is knowledge by itself?”

She quoted author Rob Liano for her answer.

“Knowledge is power? No. Knowledge on its own is nothing, but the application of useful knowledge, now that is powerful,” she said.

The faculty speaker, John Fraley, encouraged the graduates before him to remember and adopt five attitudes for success in the future — humility, enthusiasm, collaboration, self-belief and perseverance.

Finally, Eagle Award winner, adjunct professor at FVCC and this year’s commencement speaker, Paul Wachholz, gave a few pieces of advice for those looking to follow in his successful footprints.

Always look for ways to give back, said the man who this year donated $4 million to the development of the school’s new college center.

“Learn how to cope,” he said, looking back on his athletic career as a bodybuilder and weightlifter.

“Your attitude determines your fate,” he said, recounting his rise from paperboy, to banker, to founder and owner of Fun Beverage.

FVCC President Jane Karas then presented each student with the piece of paper that “can never be taken away from them,” signifying the end of a journey for each.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.