Colorado Mountain College opens commencement season in new Edwards building

This story first appeared in the Vail Daily. By Randy Wyrick.

Madeline Jacobs giving a speech during the CMC 2012 commencement ceremony in Edwards.
Madeleine Jacobs gives an emotional address during the Colorado Mountain College Class of 2012 commencement ceremony, Friday at the Edwards campus.
Justin McCarty / Special to the Daily

EDWARDS, Colorado — Inspiration is where you find it, and you can find it everywhere, said graduating Colorado Mountain College students.

CMC hosted its first commencement in the newly expanded Edwards campus. The theme was “inspiration,” and it wasn’t hard to find.

Ralph Green, the commencement speaker, is the first African American male to make the U.S. Disabled Ski Team. He lives and trains in Vail, and travels the world.

“You guys are my heroes,” he said, standing on his right leg (his left leg is missing) pointing at the graduates, his crutches hanging from his wrists. “You’re being an inspiration.”

Other CMC students came before this year’s graduating class, and others will follow, Green said.

“Look at your younger brothers or younger sisters and show them the way. If you want them to read, be an example. You have  click here for full article