GARDNER – On May 30, Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) celebrated the achievements of its Early College program graduates.

The Gateway to College and Pathways Early College Experience programs have played a role in shaping the futures of 51 students, 24 of whom earned an associate degree.

Gateway to College, which is completing 19 years of programming, serves students wishing to enter post-secondary education while earning their high school diploma and college credits. To date, 608 students have graduated from the Gateway program, with 38 students graduating this year. Of these, 16 graduates earned their associate degree or certificate from MWCC.

“Early College at MWCC has grown by leaps and bounds since the state began designating programs. We are incredibly proud of these programs and of the students who are here today graduating from our two-year, full-time, early college programs,” said President of MWCC James Vander Hooven. “You have spent a good amount of your high school career here on our campus and we have had the privilege of watching you collectively redefine the high school experience and what it can and should look like for students today.”

Graduates from Gateway will continue their educational journey at a variety of institutions, including Worcester State, Salem State, Dean College, Emmanuel College, Fitchburg State, UMass Boston, trade schools and MWCC. Several students will also be joining the military or entering the workforce.

The Gateway to College valedictorian was Megan Prachniak of Holden. Prachniak earned her diploma and Associate of Science in interdisciplinary studies and plans to attend the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in an accelerated pharmacy doctoral program with the goal of working in pharmaceutical research.

“This graduating class stands as a testament to what is possible when access meets opportunity,” said Fagan Forhan, dean of K-12 Partnerships & Civic Engagement. “We are here to honor your accomplishments and to recognize the community of educators, leaders, and partners who have made this possible.”

The Pathways Early College Experience, entering its 15th year this fall, allows high school students to earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree simultaneously during their junior and senior years.

Since its inception in 2010, Pathways has seen 211 students graduate, including 13 from the Class of 2025. These graduates will continue their education at institutions such as Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), UMass Dartmouth, UMass Boston, Columbia University, Fitchburg State, Westfield State, Merrimack College and many more.

Graduates of the Pathways program have had great success, with 75% going on to earn bachelor’s degrees. The program was initially launched in collaboration with the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District and has since partnered with Gardner Public Schools in 2019.

Olivia Wentworth of Fitchburg was the Pathways Early College valedictorian and is graduating with her diploma and Associate of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies degree. Wentworth committed to playing softball at the University of Massachusetts Boston while majoring in information technology with a focus on digital forensics in pursuit of a career as an intelligence analyst.

Gateway to College Class of 2025 members who earned their diploma:

■ Liara N. Alves Diaz, Gardner

■ Parker Donald Bolden, Hubbardston

■ Sarah Leeanne Bunton, Hubbardston

■ Katelin Charland, Hubbardston

■ Juanita De Aquino Mejia, Fitchburg

■ Mars Deans, Westford

■ Willow Duquette-Holmes, Berlin

■ Rikki Marie Eringi White, Templeton

■ Olivia Rachel Gallant, Barre

■ Lillian Marie Hardy, Orange

■ Isabella Herrick, Ayer

■ Frederick Everett Jenoure IV, New Braintree

■ Aiden Michael Kenney, Orange

■ Michael James Kuehl, Phillipston

■ Caleb LeGrand, Townsend

■ Jesuel Jose Malave Burgos, Fitchburg

■ Leah Tamar Myrthil, Gardner

■ Cameron Citlali Ramos, Clinton

■ Kirill Dmitrievich Strunkin, Sterling

■ Amanda Thompson, Lunenburg

■ Alexis Maria Tucceri, Townsend

■ Max Ryan Franco Zeppa, Fitchburg

Gateway graduates also receiving a diploma, associate degree and certificate:

■ Kiara Anializ Alicea-Roman, Fitchburg

■ Isabelle Bento, Holden

■ Sophia Annelis Ulloa, Gardner

Gateway graduates receiving a diploma and associate degree:

■ Hannah Fowler, Athol

■ Nayah Liz Islam Espinosa, Rutland

■ Nickolas J. Jakoulov, Westminster

■ David Kjornes, Winchendon

■ Mason Jeffrey Lucia, West Brookfield

■ Kazim Fraz Mehmud, Gardner

■ Megan Grace Prachniak, Holden

■ Fiorella Rodriguez, Westford

Gateway graduates receiving a diploma and certificate:

■ Sam Larkin Fessenden, Athol

■ Jackson Fitzpatrick Griffith, Gardner

■ Emily Rose Jones, Ayer

■ Brayden Thomas Swanson, Athol

■ Aiyana Tabales, Fitchburg

■ Pathways Early College Class of 2025 members who earned their diploma and associate degree:

■ Angelar Lunie Bazile, Sterling

■Eli Rose Butler, Gardner

■ Josue Diaz Saldarriaga, Gardner

■ Riley Elizabeth Forhan, Lancaster