McCann Technical School graduates were bubbling over after receiving their postsecondary diplomas on Monday night. Left, Stephanie Turner is presented the Drennan Scholarship from Dr. Kevin Mitts. See more photos here.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Before they danced their degrees out the McCann Technical School gym to the strains of "Uptown Funk," the postsecondary graduating class of 2015 had put in a tough year getting through their demanding courses.

Superintendent James Brosnan said the graduates in all four disciplines could be summed up in one word: perseverance.

"Not only did you overcome the worst winter we have had in 20 years to be here to accomplish what you did, but you came in in a very short period of time — one year — and took on a rigorous program of study," he said. "You got to know each other, none of you knew each other when you arrived, but you formed that team, you worked at that hard work and perseverance got you through. ...

"If it can get you through this program, it can get you through life and it will definitely get you a career."

Assistant Principal Keith A. Daigneault presented the awards, including six SkillsUSA state competition medals and scholarships including the Sharon Ferguson Memorial Scholarship, named for late dental assisting graduate, and the Jamie Sacchetti Drennan Memorial Scholarship.

The Drennan Scholarship, established in 2013 in memory of the Berkshire Medical Center surgical technician, a 1981 McCann surgical technology graduate, was presented to Stephanie Turner by Drennan's husband, Richard, and Dr. Kevin Mitts of Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates.

Thirty graduates were pinned in cosmetology, dental assisting, medical assisting and surgical technology by their respective program instructors, were presented diplomas by School Committee Chairman Thomas R. Mahar and congratulations from Brosnan and Principal Justin Kratz before a crowd of family and friends applauding from the bleachers.

For two former North Adams Regional Hospital employees, the graduation was a milestone in their employment history.

The hospital closed abruptly in March of last year leaving some 550 immediately unemployed; about half of those individuals have been hired by Berkshire Health Systems still leaving hundreds to seek new jobs — or new careers.

Lisa-Marie Pisano found she had to reinvent her career after more than 25 years at NARH, last working the medical imaging department. A year later, she's passed her certification test for medical assisting and already has a job lined up at Advanced Eye Care in Bennington, Vt.

"I start Wednesday ... I'm taking one day off for myself," she said, in the crowded hallway filled with graduates and families celebrating after the ceremoney. "A lot of what I did at the hospital I learned on the job. This is actually learning the skills.

"I'm very excited. It was very grueling but it was worth it."

For Danielle Serrano, losing her job as a registration clerk at the hospital opened up the opportunity to pursue a long held dream and on Tuesday morning she'll be working as a dental assistant at Hillcrest Dental Care in Pittsfield, where she had done her internship.

"I had to change everything ... I do love it. I've wanted to do it since I graduated high school," she said with a laugh. "I'm 30 years old so it's been awhile but I'm finally doing it."

Serrano said she would recommend the McCann programs for anyone seeking new or starting a career in the postsecondary courses.

"The programs here are wonderful, the teachers are amazing, it definitely helped me a lot."

Mahar congraluated the class on its hard work, pointing to the dedication of the faculty and staff in helping perservere.

"Be as proud of yourselves as we are for you," he told them. "Follow your passions, your dreams and congratulations to all the class of 2015."

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