Ciara Parizek/MDN Aaliyah Corn Bryson holds a small lily bud bouquet after the Quentin N. Burdick Job Corps graduation ceremony on Friday.

Quentin N. Burdick Job Corps graduated 43 students at its 2024 graduation ceremony on Friday.

Two student speakers talked about the large impact the teachers at Job Corps had on them during and after their struggles with addiction.

“I learned that goals aren’t things you can achieve, but it’s the road you take to get to it,” Connor Howard said.

Paul Davis, the student government president, introduced keynote speaker and Minot program director for Dakota College at Bottineau, Maggie Backen, who is a Job Corps graduate..

Backen said, at first, she did not understand why she was the keynote speaker, as she did not believe she had really done anything of merit. However, she turned that thought process around and thought to herself “Why not me?” Rather than look at the individual things she accomplished, she thought of the possibilities that were opened up for her.

Addie Nelson, the Burdick center executive administrative assistant, explained the importance of the lily and why they are handed out at graduation ceremonies. Lilies symbolize purity, dedication and overcoming challenges. Two staff members handed the flower buds to the students, who took them to their family members.

Students received diplomas in automotive technology, building/construction/technology, carpentry, welding, culinary arts and office administration.

Three of the 43 students who graduated went through advanced training programs. Aaliyah Corn Bryson went into advanced electrical in Callicoon, New York. Brandon Greenwell traveled to Anaconda, Montana, for advanced welding. Rico Richards went south to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for pipe welding.

Bryson originally enrolled in Job Corps for welding but found out it was not her forte. Instead, she went over to electrical and found she had more of a knack for that.

Going to the Delaware Valley Job Corps Center in Callicoon was a culture shock for her, she said, but her teacher, being so good at his job, made it worthwhile.

She already did her graduation walk, but she still has one more month to go until she finishes the program. The next thing she has to do is take an aptitude test administered by the electrical union.

Acting Center Director Curtis Shepard closed out the ceremony by telling the Job Corps students in the stands that if they put in the work, they too can become graduates and move on to the greater things life has to offer.