Marmaduke High School graduate and BRTC CTC alum Sara Roland and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Brad Baine at the Marmaduke High School graduation. While enrolled at BRTC Roland earned a certificate of proficiency in Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy, Patient Care Tech, and a basic certificate in Allied Health. She passed both the state CNA certification, the NHA Phlebotomy test, and earned the silver level career readiness certification.
Black River Technical College (BRTC) Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Brad Baine recently returned to his alma mater of Marmaduke High School where he had the honor of being the keynote speaker for the 2023 class of Marmaduke Greyhounds.
Baine visited with the graduate’s weeks before graduation and found that many of the things that made Marmaduke a foundation of success for him remained.
“These outstanding men and women, along with many others were instrumental in building a firm foundation of success that I have been able to build upon and continue throughout my adult life,” Baine stated.
“During our conversation a few weeks ago, several of you shared that you felt this group is a family, as you mentioned that “we share good times together and we argue together, but we always are there for each other, especially during hard times” That sounds like family to me,” Baine said. “I am convinced that the small schools that educated me, prepared me for great opportunities and poised me to accomplish success. I am forever grateful for my time at Marmaduke and once a Greyhound, always a Greyhound.”
He quoted Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” “Class of 2023, regardless of the educational pursuits or profession you each choose, I encourage you to enter the arena, and take the necessary actions to come out victorious!”
He also stressed the importance of surrounding oneself with people who want the best for them.
“Graduates, as you finish this chapter in your life, I strongly encourage you to surround yourself with individuals that make a positive impact on your life. There will be challenging days ahead and having a group of individuals walk alongside you is critical,” Baine said.
Baine is a 1995 graduate of Marmaduke High School.