More than half of Monroe Community College's Class of 2019 graduated on Saturday after returning to finish their education.

For many, graduation represents the culmination of so much.

“I’m overwhelmed with emotions because it was a dream of mine to graduate, and I didn’t think it would be possible," graduate Tatyana Davis said.

According to the school, more than 1,100 of their 2,100 students came back to graduate after taking a break.

“I’m 38 years old. I don’t need to walk across the stage for me," graduate Adam Pfund said. "I need to walk across the stage for my family so they can see it.”

Pfund returned to study precision machining after his company left the country.

“Instead of being down in the dumps about it, I took it as an opportunity to improve myself and make myself more marketable,” Pfund said.

Others are parents, like Davis, a single mother of three. She was able to return to school with the help of an MCC daycare grant.

“I can’t explain how overwhelming the journey was,” Davis said.

She says though she had to make many sacrifices, it was worth it for her kids.

“Looking at them every day, and saying I know this degree will make a difference for the future of my children, and be able to give them the opportunities I wouldn’t otherwise be able to give,” Davis said.

Pfund says he didn’t just learn something. He hopes his children learned something too.

“Don’t let the world knock you down," Pfund said. "Get back up, start something, start a goal and follow that goal until the end.”

And Davis agrees. She says everyone should chase their dreams.

“It is a possibility. Wait for that door to open, and when that opportunity presents itself, take it,” Davis said.