2.0°

Young and old united in cap and gown attire at this year's Kenai Peninsula College graduation.

Those in attendance would have been hard pressed to find a "normal" graduate from this year's crop.

Students from all walks of life and headed down various paths received diplomas from the college.

Mike Stacy was eager to make his way through his courses. He graduated with an industrial process instrumentation degree last year and a process technology degree this year.

He said the degrees would give him a leg up in the job market.

Stacy, who said he just turned 40, is the first of his five siblings to get a college degree.

He said there's no cut-off for when someone is too old to go to school.

You don't have to tell Martha Merry that.

Merry, at 65, was receiving a degree in computer electronics.

Merry works in the electronics department of KPC, and said that with her own children out of school, she thought she'd go back.

"I liked going to school, and my children suggested I learn about computers, so I did," she said.

Whether it's going back to school, being an active reader or staying physically fit, Merry said that as people age they need to avoid just sitting around.

"I think as you get older, you need to keep moving. You need to grow spiritually, mentally, physically, socially and in every way. You have to keep yourself moving, or you're going to stagnate," she said.

Jacob Montgomery and Raven Cervantes, both 18, were at the opposite end of the age spectrum, but equally excited to get their general education development diplomas.

"I'm really excited but pretty nervous," Cervantes said.

"I'm glad I just made it to this point. I'm a little nervous about what's next," Cervantes said.

The two both said they were planning to relax a little bit over the summer, and then make the next decision from there.