As the first semester ended, 70 seniors graduated practically unnoticed by the rest of us. They decided that they were ready to say good‑bye to Maine West so they graduated early. The Mid‑Year Commencement Exercises were terminated after last year, but these students are encouraged to participate in the June Commencement.

In order to graduate in January, the student must have completed 181/2 credits and taken these required courses: health, consumer education, U.S. history, government, three years of English, and one year of math.

January grads include Marian Lee Baker, Beth Ann Bartalone, Susan Berner, Diana Marie Boege, Thomas Edward Boggs, Jo Ann Marie Brandenhoff, Nancy Chiakas, Patricia Ann Crandall, April Jean Cognac, Barbara Ann Currer, Roland Delgado, Jolynn Divita, Diane Marie Drygalski, Linda Jeanette Edwards, Elizabeth Elaine Engel, Elizabeth M. Fetzer, Debora Ann Fulcher, and Joan Marie Gages.

Others are Carol Joann Gardner, Lynn Dorene Gottschalk, Patricia Haras, Kenneth Ray Harrington, Joe Ann E. Hess, Sharon Amanda Hester, Lauren Marie Holden, Mary L. Hozian, Joseph John Hruban, Andrew Joseph Jacks,

Patricia Suzanne Kasper, Kimberly Joy Kolar, Kristie Kay Ladendorf, Lorie Lyn Ladendorf, Colette Ann Lamczyk, Ronald A. Leach, Diane Theresa Lorenz, Mark Lowther, Laurie Ann Luckey, Kimberlee Ann Marquette, Thomas Joseph McClaughry, Debbie Ann McGee, and Jennifer Marie Milota.

Also included are Sean Herbert Mooney, John William Murray, John Nebgen, John A. Nolan, Anita Lee Obecny, Michael Paul, David Godfrey Pechan, Michael Anthony Perez, Debra Lynn Peterson, Matthew Gilbert Pilarski, Robert William Piotrowski, Claudia Louis Pistolis, Thomas M. Podgorny, Joel Puklavetz, Mary Frances Sabacinksi, Mariellen Salerno, Terresa Kay Scheuer, and Michaelin Jean Serino.

More are Jill S. Sherwood, Gregory John Skifano, Terry Lee Smith, Doreen Frances Sommers, Nancy Ann Soranno, Julie Marie Strickland, Jacqueline Ann Sullivan, Denise Lynn Talend, Paula Ruth Vogel, and Cheryl Ann Witkus.

What are the reasons for graduating early? Some of them get jobs to pay for college; some get married; others start college early, and still others have fun at home thinking about former classmates who won't graduate for another four months.