Of all the mothers in the audience at Riverland Community College’s commencement Friday, perhaps none were more proud than the mother of Christine Gislason, Jamie Sorenson, and Ray Sorenson.

Saturday, May 19, 2001

Of all the mothers in the audience at Riverland Community College’s commencement Friday, perhaps none were more proud than the mother of Christine Gislason, Jamie Sorenson, and Ray Sorenson.

The three siblings all graduated from Riverland this spring: Christine, 27, as an occupational therapy assistant; Jamie, 24, with a degree in radiography; and Ray, 20, in industrial maintenance.

&uot;(Mom) liked it,&uot; Jamie said. &uot;She thought it was neat. She was just happy we were all going to school.&uot;

Ray went into the industrial maintenance program right out of high school, but Jamie and Christine both returned to school after spending some time in the work force.

&uot;First I went away to college, then I worked for a while,&uot; Christine said. &uot;Then I decided I needed to go back to school, so I decided to go someplace close to home.&uot;

&uot;I lived in Arizona for about 4 years then came home,&uot; Jamie said. &uot;They had the program here that I was interested in.&uot;

The small class size made it easier when she had a baby this spring, Jamie said. Teachers knew her, and let her make up the work she missed when she was gone, keeping her on track for graduation.

Christine and Ray also liked the small class sizes.

&uot;Teachers know who you are,&uot; Christine said. &uot;They know you by name.&uot;

&uot;I think that it’s better that way,&uot; Ray said. &uot;Our teachers kind of pushed us to get a job more.&uot;

Jamie and Christine both attended classes at the Austin campus, and would see each other often. Their classmates got to know their siblings too, Christine said.

&uot;It was nice sometimes to see a friendly face,&uot; Christine said.

The siblings’ father came from Arkansas for the commencement ceremony, and they celebrated graduation, and Jamie and Ray’s birthdays, on Saturday.

Jamie and Ray are both looking for work now, and Christine will do field work as an occupational therapy assistant until October.

All three are planning on staying in the area.