Manatee Technical College graduates 146 in winter ceremony

(Bradenton, FL—January 26, 2017)   Balloons and flowers dotted the crowd of family and friends as Manatee Technical College graduated 146 students Thursday evening.  The main campus programs included construction, manufacturing, automotive, business, cosmetology and design programs.

“One year ago today, graduating from college was just a figment of my imagination,” started facials graduate Rachelle Thompson, as she proceeded to give an emotional speech.  After describing a very rough journey, while choking back tears she spoke of God directing her path and all the people who believed in her and supported her as she turned her life around.  “I am a licensed esthetician,” she said.  “I just can’t believe it!”

The other student speaker was John (Joey) Tilelli, who talked about struggling to find a career path that really interested him.  “Even after a semester at another college, I still felt I was headed nowhere in terms of a professional career.”  When he found the drafting program at MTC, things turned around for him.  “I was able to gain the confidence I needed,” he said.  “I now have a full-time job as a mechanical draftsman.”  He graduated with honors and plans to work towards a mechanical engineering degree.

Graduate Angelea Valenti gave the invocation.  MTC Board of Governors chairman John Ziemnicki, MTC director Dr. Valerie Viands and executive director Doug Wagner addressed the graduates.  Counselors Vickie Miller, Kirsten Lawlor and Terri Parrish presented diplomas.

Manatee Technical College is a postsecondary career and technical education center with four campuses within the School District of Manatee County offering over 50 career preparation programs, continuing education, adult general education, and personal enrichment classes.  Manatee Technical College is fully accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.  The mission of MTC is to meet the ever-changing needs of our communities and the workforce by producing highly skilled individuals and resourceful leaders through collaborative education.

For more information and a complete list of programs, visit the school’s website at /.

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