In total, 19 graduates were launched from the Morden Adult Education Centre (MAEC) this spring.

Director Kelly Vipond says the defining characteristic of the 2020 graduating class is simple: grit.

"It's present in every single class that comes through here because there are folks getting it's second chances, somewhere the option to finish high school was taken off the table... whatever the reason was... when people choose to come back to school as adults there are a lot more obstacles in the way."

However, with a little grit, each student has found the perseverance and resilience to get through.

"They have this attitude that the only thing that can stop them is themselves, so they keep pushing," Vipond says.

She adds that spirit was even more important this year as COVID-19 hit six weeks into the second semester and students had to relearn how to finish their education online.

While toilet paper was selling out, Vipond notes they were coaching their students to keep believing in themselves and that they're not alone, "we're going to figure this out together, you're not alone."

The MAEC held an online ceremony recently featuring valedictorian Kate Zacharias who was able to deliver her speech remotely.