20150516 - MCC Grads (MLV)

Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media during Spring Commencement at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May 16, 2015.

Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media Tara Nelson (right,) of Crystal Lake helps Julie Utley of Wonder Lake with her cap before the start of the Spring Commencement at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Nelson and Utley were receiving Associates degrees in registered nursing.

Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media Julie Furman, receiving an associates degree in science, waves to her friends and family as she enters the multi-purpose room for Spring Commencement at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May 16, 2015.

Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media Jason Memmen marches with the color guard as they prepare to present the American Flag during Spring Commencement at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Memmen also serves as the student trustee on the McHenry County College board of trustees.

Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media McHenry County College 1989 alumni Derik Morefield of Woodstock delvers a speech to the incoming graduates of 2015 during Spring Commencement at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Morefield was one of the three recipients of MCC's 2015 Distinguished Alumi Award.

Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media A balloon hovers above the incoming graduates during Spring Commencement at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May 16, 2015.

Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media During Jasmine Brown's student presentation she addresses some of her mother's comments she heard as she was working towards getting her degree. Brown delivered her speech during the Spring Commencement at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media

Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media Jordan Carr waits to have her name read and accept her associates degree in Science during Spring Commencement at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media

Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media Jose Juarez accepts his associates degree in Robotic Systems Engineering Technology from trustee Molly Wash during Spring Commencement at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media

Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media Friends and family are invited to stand and congratulate the gradates of 2015 during Spring Commencement at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media

Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Tony Miksa presents faculty member Dr. Christine Grela with the 2015 Illinois Community College Trustees Association Outstanding Full-time Faulty Member of the Year award during the Spring Commencement at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media

Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media Kelly Watson's (right,) followed by equally well-decorated Amanda Reyes, exist the multi-purpose room following Spring Commencement at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Watson and Reyes decorated their caps together, incorporating words and images that meant something to them. For Watson the saying "Now it's my turn to teach!" was her way of thanking the teachers who have inspired her and state that now she was ready to show what she's learned. Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media

Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media Tina Mengel of Lake in the Hills, gives a hug to her mother Pam Gianpicolo of Scarlet, NC., after the Spring Commencement at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Mengel received her associates in criminal justice. Michelle LaVigne/ For Shaw Media