I was honored last week to attend the graduation ceremony for Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood.

I’ve been to my share of high school and college graduations, but this one struck me as special.

At Thursday night’s ceremony, Clover Park President Dr. John Walstrum offered these facts about the Clover Park Class of 2009:

 • The 630 graduates had a combined grade-point average of 3.41, with 78 grads attaining a perfect 4.0. That’s impressive considering how many students worked full time or part time while they were going to school.

 • Some graduates started without even a high school diploma, but 51 already had an associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree when they enrolled at Clover Park.

 • Graduates ranged in age from 16 to 62, with an average age of 31 (not the typical college class).

 • 74 percent were women.

 • Almost one-third were students of color.

 • Students came from countries including Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, China, Thailand, India, France, Germany, England, Russia and Taiwan. Many began their studies in the English as a second language program.

 • 198 graduates were single parents during their time at Clover Park.

Among the graduates were several with compelling personal stories.

One started working toward a degree in 1992 and was enrolled on and off for 17 years before receiving a diploma last week.

Barbara Meek was middle-aged when she became a displaced homemaker, forced to work for low wages in child care services. She began taking early education classes to learn more about her new profession and with financial support from the Clover Park Technical College Foundation received her associate degree last week.

Greg Wilson was scheduled to graduate from Clover Park last year, but waited until Thursday so he could receive his diploma alongside his son, DonLee Alan Wilson.

One by one, the graduates walked up to the podium where a college administrator announced their names and the degree or certificate each was receiving. In no particular order, the graduates received two-year associate degrees, certificates of completion from shorter-term programs, and high school equivalency diplomas. Some graduated from Northwest Career & Technical High School, which provides a high school diploma along with specific job skills.

Some graduates will go on to another college or university, but Clover Park’s mission is to prepare students for work.

The Class of 2009 specialized in areas including accounting, computer networking, cosmetology, culinary arts, dental assisting, environmental sciences, heating and air conditioning service, interior design, manufacturing technologies, massage, medical assisting, nursing, early learning and welding.

In this season of graduations, most from more traditional high schools or colleges, it’s important to remember the role of our technical colleges in helping a diverse cross-section of our community learn critical job skills and in providing a quality work force for area employers.

BECAUSE YOU ASKED FOR IT

In Tuesday’s paper, we ran a front-page story about how the Powerball lottery consortium decided not to allow Washington to sell tickets to its game because the state participates in the rival Mega Millions game.

The decision made us question the need to continue running Powerball results on Page A2 of our paper every day. If our readers can’t buy a Powerball ticket in this state, why would they need to know the results?

Powerball results don’t take up much room in the paper, but they are one more bit of content our copy desk must run down on deadline a couple of nights a week.

So beginning with Wednesday’s paper, we took them out.

On Wednesday, one reader called our reader representative to complain. On Thursday, five readers called to complain.

It turns out, some local residents drive to Oregon to buy Powerball tickets. Others have their out-of-state relatives buy tickets for them.

So beginning Friday, Powerball was back. Our apologies to those who missed their results.

Karen Peterson: 253-597-8434

karen.peterson@thenewstribune.com