Carrie Lane graduates look to the future

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  Taylor Bast speaks at the Carrie Lane Alternative High School graduation on Saturday at First Congregational Church in Charles City. Press photo by Kelly Terpstra

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  Don Betts addresses those in attendance at the Carrie Lane Alternative High School graduation on Saturday at First Congregational Church in Charles City. Press photo by Kelly Terpstra

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  Taylor Bast receives her diploma on Saturday. Press Photo by Kelly Terpstra

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  Jordan Lantz receives her diploma on Saturday. Press Photo by Kelly Terpstra

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  Moesha Vandeventer receives her diploma on Saturday. Press Photo by Kelly Terpstra

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  Elizabeth Leslie receives her diploma on Saturday. Press Photo by Kelly Terpstra

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  Cheery Schultz receives her diploma on Saturday. Press Photo by Kelly Terpstra

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  Students listen intently at the Carrie Lane Alternative High School graduation on Saturday at First Congregational Church in Charles City. Press photo by Kelly Terpstra

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

Overcoming obstacles — a common denominator in almost anyone’s success in life.

The five graduates awaiting their diplomas on Saturday in the front of the First Congregational Church in Charles City shared that trait.

Their reward was a high school degree.

Carrie Lane Alternative High School held its commencement ceremony over the weekend and there were many proud teachers and family members in attendance to witness their loved-one’s accomplishments.

The five graduates were Taylor Bast, Cheery Schultz, Moesha Vandeventer, Elizabeth Leslie and Jordan Lantz.

Carrie Lane Director Don Betts talked about some of the necessary tools that graduates on any level need to implement in their lives to fulfill their dreams and reach their goals.

“You control your attitude. It’s a choice. Life’s all about choices,” said Betts, who has been associated with Carrie Lane for 24 years. “Have a passion for what you do in life.”

Sometimes attaining what one wants to achieve is as simple as listening to someone and trusting them to help build a future that is filled with promise and excitement.

“Before you believe in yourself, somebody else believes in you first,” said Betts. “They need somebody to believe in them and that’s us.”

Also speaking to the students was Josh Dean, who was recently named Iowa Alternative Education Educator of the Year in the state of Iowa. Dean has been a teacher in Charles City for 15 years and is the alternative education coordinator at Charles City High School and started the Success Center there three years ago.

Dean has been integral in each of the five Carrie Lane graduates’ journey to receive their high school diploma. He offered words of wisdom for the students.

“You got to remember — when things get hard, keep doing what you’re doing now,” said Dean. “Go out and do great things because you proved it. Everyone of you is sitting up here because you earned it and you fought through some super challenging things,”

This year’s class motto for Carrie Lane was Hakuna Matata – “No Worries.” The class colors were maroon and white.