Almost 100 students donned their caps and gowns this week as they received their degrees or certificates at the Bermuda College 2013 Spring Commencement Ceremony.Cheered on by friends, family and public figures including Premier Craig Cannonier, the 99 honoured students were told to continue to work towards their goals.Students on Thursday were presented with associate degrees, diplomas and certificates in the divisions of Applied Science & Technology, Business Administration & Hospitality and Liberal Arts.The ceremony also featured graduates of the College's partnership with Mount Saint Vincent University baccalaureate degree programme in business administration and child and youth studies.College President Duranda Greene called on the graduates to remember their pasts, celebrate today and commit to their dreams.Meanwhile, Ty-Ron Douglas, assistant professor at the University of Missouri and a member of the 2008 graduating class, told the graduates that the college had prepared them for the future and called on them to finish the work they have started."Degrees don't define you," he said. "You have to finish. Finish what? You tell me. It's in you, whatever you are supposed to do."William DaCosta, a business analyst with HSBC Bermuda, received a bachelor's degree in business administration at the ceremony.He said: “After I first graduated from Mount St Agnes I wasn't too sure what I wanted to do. My counsellor advised me to go to the college here and give it a try. I got my associates degree and I was going to join the police service but I blew my knee out, so I decided to come back and get my bachelor's.“It's a relief after all the years I've had to work four or five jobs to make ends meet, to put myself through school. It's been a challenge, but it's something that I knew would pay off in the end.”Debbie Marquez said it was sometimes a struggle to make it through college while maintaining a job, but the end result was worth it.“It's busy. You have to plan everything around school and work, but it's doable. There are times where tears were shed, it's hard work, but you can do it,” she said.“I had my associates in office administration when I decided I wanted my bachelor's in business, but I had to backtrack and pretty much do an associates in business.“I started that journey in 2005, 2006 and here I am with a bachelor's degree. It feels great. It's been a long journey so it's good that it's finally over.”Shadow Education Minister Walton Brown sent congratulations to the graduates on behalf of the Progressive Labour Party.“Your hard work and sacrifice have been rewarded and we encourage you to carry forward that same attitude to your future endeavours,” he said.“The partnerships formed by the Bermuda College in recent years, have enabled Bermudians to have access to an unprecedented level of educational and training opportunities. Now, more than ever, the Bermuda College is an excellent vehicle for moving our Bermudians forward."PLP Leader Marc Bean said the graduates were entering an “economic environment that few of us have ever known”.“The competition for jobs is stiff, yet this time also represents a tremendous opportunity to create your own opportunities. Let this milestone be the beginning of your contribution to our society as workers, managers, entrepreneurs and employers."For more pictures click here