MARYSVILLE — Perseverance over adversity is the story for many of Marysville Mountain View High School’s 37 graduates.

Among the student speakers was Raphael Curup who spoke during MMVHS’s graduation ceremony June 13, as he served as a collective voice for the graduates.

“For some, Mountain View is just another school or alternative,” he said. “But it’s what we saw as our home. It’s how we survived.”

Originally enrolled at Marysville-Pilchuck, Curup dropped out his sophomore year after longing for more individualized attention in his learning. He enrolled back at MMVHS his junior year and expressed his gratitude toward the faculty who helped him graduate with a 3.6 GPA.

“Our diploma is our proof of perseverance, our gown represents our honor, and our cap shows us our wings,” he said. “I promise you we will all go far, and we will not disappoint.”

Curup, along with fellow graduates Lakin Long and Sherry Newbourn, were recipients of academic scholarships.

The faculty offered encouraging words to the graduates, including council speaker Maurice King, who shared his story of how he started learning, from photography to computer science.

“Be present right now, and that will give you what you want,” King said.

Curup has big plans for his future. He was already enrolled in Running Start at Everett Community College, and wants to continue his education there. He eventually wants to get an associate’s degree in marketing and then transfer to Western Washington University.

His message to students on the verge of giving up is this: “Do something to make yourself a better person everyday. Realize there’s always a bigger picture out there.”