Front row: Connie Sandoval, Mary Ann Rodriguez, and Lisa Llanos. Second Row: Kelsey Ford, Vivian Garcia, Marisela Torres, and Michael Kestler. Top row: Trey Long and Anyssa Gonzales. PHOTO by IRIS CAMPBELL

San Marcos CISD’s Phoenix Center graduated 28 students this month.

Ten students walked the stage in a ceremony on Dec. 16, while the some of the remaining 18 may opt to participate in the larger San Marcos High School graduation ceremony in June 2012, said SMCISD spokesperson Iris Campbell.

Phoenix Academy, which offers day and night classes, serves as an alternative route for those who are at a greater risk of dropping out of school, or who have health problems, or who wish to graduate early.

“Students who have health issues often choose to come to Phoenix since it is more self-paced,” Campbell said in May. “The campus has had several students this school year who are dealing with serious health issues such as cancer. They benefit from the smaller class size, more individual attention, and flexibility for doctors appointments and medical treatments. For a variety of reasons, some students flourish more from the smaller Phoenix environment than the large traditional high school.”

The students who met the criteria to graduate from Phoenix included Jacqueline Alvarado, Michael Aragon, Caitlin Espinoza, Samantha Fabian, Kelsey Ford, Vivian Garcia, Anyssa Gonzales, Selena Gonzales, Victoria Guerrero, Michael Kestler, Lisa Llanos, Trey Long, Artie Machado, Taylor Marchan, Hermerejildo Mascorro, Alexa Miller, Kirsten Odgen, Azmera Purnell, Miranda Rainey, Juan Ramierz-Hernandez, Jason Resendiz, Ana Rubio, Mary Ann Rodriguez, Samantha Sanchez, Connie Sandoval, Daniel Sladek, Amber Steadman, and Marisela Torres.