The morning welding class, including (l-r) GMG’s Jay Bessman, East Marshall’s Corbin Burgraff, Grundy Center’s Peter O’Donnell, and Grinnell-Newburg’s Jared Wickwire. PHOTO COURTESY MARSHALLTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

MARSHALLTOWN – A pair of GMG students are achieving a rare feat this spring – completing their college programs before they even receive their high school diplomas.

Through a long-standing partnership with Marshalltown Community College (MCC), seniors Jay Bessman and Rider Kupka have earned college degrees and diplomas at no personal cost. With local high schools covering tuition and fees, students completing an Associate of Arts degree are walking away with over $13,000 in savings.

Area high school students, including Bessman and Kupka, who have earned their high school diploma and a degree from MCC include:

Green Mountain-Garwin (GMG) High School: Jay Bessman (Manufacturing Welding Practitioner Diploma) and Rider Kupka (Manufacturing Welding Practitioner Diploma).

East Marshall High School: Corbin Burgraff (Manufacturing Welding Practitioner Diploma); Brooklyn Casey (Associate of Arts); Lillian Dehl (Associate of Arts); Ava Hendricks (Associate of Science – Biology); Alex Juarez Batista (Construction Residential Practitioner Diploma); Cameron Lanfier (Associate of Arts); Alivia Neuroth (Associate of Arts); Benjamin Soy (Construction Residential Practitioner Diploma); and Madeline White (Associate of Arts).

Brooklyn Guernsey Malcom (BGM) High School – Allie Blankenship (Automotive Technology Practitioner Diploma); Justin Dean (Automotive Technology Associate of Applied Science); and Cadden Lakose (Automotive Technology Associate of Applied Science).

Grinnell High School: Jacob Burnett (Automotive Technology Practitioner Diploma); Broden Collins Manufacturing Welding Practitioner Diploma); Zoee Tauber Manufacturing Welding Practitioner Diploma); and Jared Wickwire Manufacturing Welding Practitioner Diploma).

Hartwick Ladora Victor (HLV) High School – Hayden Shafer (Automotive Technology Associate of Applied Science).

Grundy Center High School: Peter O’Donnell (Manufacturing Welding Practitioner Diploma).

Marshalltown High School: Lylia Christen (Associate of Arts); Brian Diaz (Associate of Arts); Grace Diggins (Associate of Arts); Myles Goldman (Associate of Arts); Leslie Ibarra Murillo – (Associate of Arts – Biology); Jorja Janssen (Associate of Arts); Luis Madrigal (Electrical Maintenance Mechanic Diploma); Jesus Maravilla Ordaz (Construction Residential Practitioner Diploma); Annessa Morrison (Associate of Arts); Hel Nay Say (Associate of Arts); Juan Pablo Perez Mendoza (Electrical Maintenance Mechanic Diploma); Kayla Potter (Associate of Arts); Kade Randall (Associate of Arts); Caleb Rasmussen (Associate of Arts); Victor Saravia Sanchez (Associate of Arts); Thaw Soe (Associate of Arts); Jayden Tran (Associate of Arts); Nyajal Wechtour (Associate of Arts); Nic Wise (Associate of Arts); Harper Wilson (Associate of Arts); and Dalton Zednicheck (Associate of Arts).

South Tama High School: Elizabeth Balderas (Medical Assisting Diploma); Alvaro Castro Sical (Manufacturing Welding Practitioner Diploma); Alexandra Castanon (Manufacturing Welding Practitioner Diploma); Wesley Hanus (Manufacturing Welding Practitioner Diploma); Bryce Lacina (Advanced Manufacturing Associate of Applied Science); Madeline Paxton (Associate of Arts); Logan Richards (Associate of Arts); and Caleb Ragsdale (Manufacturing Welding Practitioner Diploma).

West Marshall High School: Alina Goldie (Associate of Arts); Elizabeth Lass (Manufacturing Welding Practitioner Diploma) Lily Nichols (Associate of Arts); and Delana Smith (Associate of Arts).

About MCC

Marshalltown Community College, located in Marshalltown, is a member of the Iowa Valley Community College District. The District comprises Marshalltown Community College, Ellsworth Community College, Iowa Valley Grinnell, and Iowa Valley Business and Community Solutions. The District serves a broad range of students and businesses throughout Central Iowa. For more information, visit mcc.iavalley.edu.