The long-awaited day arrived May 23 for about 35 young men and women as Colorado’s Finest Alternative High School conducted its commencement ceremonies in the Teikyo Loretto Heights Theater.

The school, located at 2323 W. Baker Ave., is a program that draws enrollment from around the metropolitan area.

Colorado’s Finest is two separate programs with classes that met during the day and a program with night classes for students who work full-time.

The day before graduation, the school had the traditional rose ceremony. At the program, each graduate-to-be receives a rose and, in turn, presented the rose to the individual who helped them the most to achieve this milestone. Each student takes time to explain why the rose goes to a particular person that could be a parent, a spouse, a teacher, a relative or an acquaintance.

Then the big day arrives. The graduated don cap and gown, march to the stage to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” to receive their diplomas. Pictures of the event will be on the Web site at www.englewood247.com

Colorado’s Finest Alternative High School May 23 graduates:

Edlin Aidee Barraza, Thomas Chris Brackney, Joseph Breese, Jonathan Russel Chouaf, Zachary Ryan DaVault-Workman, Paul Andrew Davidson, Jared Adam Dolph, Sara Ethington, Alfonso A. Flores, Kyle Milan Gage, Lazaro Ricardo, Gali Gandara, Joseph Porfirio, Garcia, Angelo Nickalas-Elias Garcia, Gil Glassman, Trevor Vince Gomez, Oscar Gomez-Sosa, Lynea Jaramillo, Matthew James Jarvis, Elizabeth Maureen Jones, Jessica Rae Lacey, Kindra Ludwig, Ryan Manuel Marquez, Kyle Anthony McKenna, Tanaya Lynn Musser, Ashley Marie Ramos, Maree Ray Sacha, Katelynn Elizabeth Rodts, Samantha Kate Schaffer, Jill Christine Scudder, Nicole Michele Sellergren, Jordan Shenefield, Oscar Solano, Ashley Timmer, Jared B Waldron, Rachel Renee Winne, Joshua True Wood, Stephanie Zalinger