DOWAGIAC — Four young adults wearing long black robes smiled as they walked through a thin path lined with cheering family and friends inside the Lewis Cass Intermediate School District North Pointe Center Friday afternoon. The smiles continued through a short ceremony and as they each collected a certificate announcing that they were ready to leave the center’s program and enter into the school of life.

Students with the North Pointe Center, 704 N. Orchard St., Dowagiac, recently graduated from the life skills program. Four students were graduated: Morgan Adam, Mariela “Mimi” Gadjeva, Wade Hardisty and Augie Yup.

The North Pointe Center’s life skills program serves older students with moderate to severe disabilities. Through the program, students learn life skills and how to function within the community, according to the program website.

During Friday’s ceremony, ISD and program administrators presented the graduates with certificates of program completion and congratulated them on all their hard work.

“These are all great kids, and we are proud to have worked with them,” said ISD Superintendent Brent Holcomb, before directly addressing the graduates. “I want to encourage you all as you go out into the world to never forget that when we work with others, there is no penalty for niceness. We want to encourage you to always be nice because it will serve you well. … I also want to encourage you to live your dreams, live your passions and do good things in the world — just remember to be nice.”

“We are really excited for this day, and we have been so blessed,” added Shelly Derenzy, supervisor of special education. “These students have always blessed us with their smiles, their hugs and their courage. We are really excited for them.”

In addition to Holcomb, teachers Molly High and Tracy Sanders also spoke at the graduation. They told stories about what it was like to have the graduates in their classrooms and wished the graduates the best of luck as they enter in the future.

“Every end is a new beginning, and I can’t wait to see where life takes all our graduates,” Sanders said. “I wish you all the best in your future.”

When it was High’s turn to speak, she thanked the graduates for leaving a lasting impression on the North Pointe Center before offering her parting words of advice to them.

“It is so exciting to share in the excitement and emotions that fill this room as we share in the graduates’ transition from school to adult life,” High said. “Life can be hard, but you have taught us that nothing can stop you if you put your mind to it. Surround yourself with people who push you to dream big and reach for your goals and with people who support you in the ways that matter most to you. Don’t give up and don’t stop believing in dreams. As you go forward into adulthood, don’t forget your family and your friends here at North Pointe Center.”