Finishing school and graduating from high school can be a daunting task for any student. But the task can even be more of a challenge for students of immigrant and migrant families.

That could have been the reason why graduates and honor students received the loud ovation they got Friday night at the eighth annual Centennial Board of Cooperative Education Services -- BOCES -- migrant high school graduation at Valley High School in Gilcrest.

Overcoming diversity and challenges unique to immigrant children was one of the many messages given by the night's two guest speakers.

Maria Ramirez, an educator at Boulder Valley School District, struggled with being from an immigrant family.

"Students today have paid a lot," Ramirez said, through a translator. "The least you could do is take advantage of every opportunity so you can move forward. Knowing is power. High school is a wonderful step, but nowadays, it's not enough."

Jose Suarez, a University of Northern Colorado professor also spoke at the event.

Along with scholarships being awarded to 12 graduating seniors, three students from each school district received recognition in the areas of academics and art.

Students honored at the BOCES Graduation

Windsor High School

Dalia Garcia

Mountain View High School

Anthony DiRocco

Greeley Central High School

Ever Prieto-Miranda

Cinthya Nunez-Bonilla

Ivan Contreras-Vazquez

Miriam Padilla

Claudia Orozco

Northridge High School

Jose A. Duenas de la O

Platte Valley High School

Jose F. Colin-Llerenas

Poudre High School

Jorge Alferes-Perez

Veronica Sanchez-Ruiz

Skyline High School

Carlos Unzueta

Laura Unzueta

Fernando Medina

Janneth Astorga

Erica Barron

Manuel Flores

Miguel Perez

Longmont High School

Juan A. Acosta

Jason Hinojosa

Lions Middle Senior School

Ivan Godinez

Eaton High School

Gustavo Hernandez

Fort Lupton High School

Jose Ruvalcaba

Lourdes Mendoza

Elisa Guadarrama

Bianca Gomez

Miguel Garcia

Weld Central High School

Emili Gallegos