Scenes from the G.E.D. graduation at Colorado Mesa University. 

Scenes from the G.E.D. graduation at Colorado Mesa University. 

Scenes from the G.E.D. graduation at Colorado Mesa University. 

Scenes from the G.E.D. graduation at Colorado Mesa University. 

Scenes from the G.E.D. graduation at Colorado Mesa University. 

Scenes from the G.E.D. graduation at Colorado Mesa University. 

Graduate speaker Daneille Hanahan gives an ode to non-traditional students at the end of her speech at the Grande River Virtual Academy Wednesday. Nine students participated in the ceremony.

Scenes from Gateway School’s graduation.

Scenes from Gateway School’s graduation.

Scenes from Gateway School’s graduation.

Scenes from Gateway School’s graduation.

Scenes from Gateway School’s graduation.

Scenes from Gateway School’s graduation.

Scenes from Gateway School’s graduation.

Scenes from Gateway School’s graduation.

Tyler Wallace, one of three valedictorians for the class of 2012, speaks Sunday during commencement exercises at Montrose High School.

Strengthened by the power of a newly received diploma, Parker Peterson shows some bicep at Rifle High School’s graduation Sunday.

Photos by Dennis Webb—Heidi Acosta applauds for classmates Sunday at Rifle High School’s graduation. Acosta said she worried about her prospects for graduating after getting poor grades her freshman year. But she buckled down with encouragement from teachers and her parents, and will go on to college, with plans to study youth education.BELOW: Rifle graduate Parker Peterson demonstrates the power of a newly received diploma. Commencement speakers invoked humor Sunday, and hit a somber note in remembering a class member who died last year after contracting the flu.

A beaming Annie McNeel hugs Coal Ridge High School principal David Morgan upon receiving her diploma Sunday.

Coal Ridge High School 2012 class president Jaime Cisneros Magana smiles in amazement as he views the Sunday evening solar eclipse through a welder’s glass after the graduation ceremony. BELOW: Annie McNeel hugs Coal Ridge High School principal David Morgan upon receiving her diploma Sunday. Ninety graduates received diplomas during commencement exercises at the high school east of Silt.