MOUNT VERNON — With humor and hard work, members of Class 12 of the Knox County Career Center School of Massage Therapy persevered through a multitude of changes, trials and tribulations to follow their dreams. Family and friends gathered together with the students at graduation exercises on Wednesday to celebrate that perseverance and honor their accomplishments.
Commencement speaker Jen Wampler, licensed massage therapist, told the graduates their incredible journey was just beginning. She said they would accomplish and learn so much more in a profession that is healing, “not just for those you work on, but for yourselves, too.”
Shawn Popovich, the class “mother” due to her age, was the first student speaker. She reminded her classmates of their first impressions of each other and presented final comments made by students about each classmate. She talked about the one-minute commercials each made, and emphasized the humor and hard work each exhibited throughout the class.
The second student speaker, Anne Green, discussed the many changes the class went through in reaching graduation day. She said the class supported one another and emerged victorious after experiencing joys, sorrows, marriages, divorces and births. She reminded her classmates that taking care of oneself is as important as healing others, and reminded them that each day is an “immeasurable gift.” She said she was “grateful for the precious uniqueness of each one of you.”