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Laflin woman’s invention - Glubbers - prevent hands from getting wet from snow in the winter

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Wilkes University Winter Commencement list of graduates

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Life is full of obstacles but overcoming them is possible, Natalie Smirne told her graduating classmates during Wilkes University&#8217;s Winter 2016 Commencement Sunday.</p><p>The 25-year-old Smirne addressed 228 graduating students from her wheelchair on the stage in the Arnaud C. Marts Sports and Conference Center on the university campus in Wilkes-Barre.</p><p>&#8220;I sit in front of you today, a little over four years later waiting to receive my diploma (a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology) as proof that we are all capable of doing anything,&#8221; Smirne said.</p><p>The Avoca resident shared her inspirational story of how she became paralyzed from the chest down after a vehicle driven by her friend swerved to miss a deer that was standing in Interstate 84 in New York state in November 2011.</p><p>&#8220;It started off like any other day,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I went for a jog in the morning and killed some time studying before I would head off to New York to see a concert with a friend.&#8221;</p><p>She was months into her sophomore year at Wilkes University.</p><p>&#8220;The SUV rolled several times,&#8221; Smirne said. &#8220;I was ejected from the vehicle and was found 40 feet from the crash.&#8221;</p><p>The young woman noted how she had to overcome physical and mental challenges following that fateful Saturday.</p><p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t have the use of my legs, but I had a brain, a voice and a purpose,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I went back to school with the same mentality of pursuing my dreams that I came here with.&#8221;</p><p>Her positive outlook combined with supportive family and friends helped her achieve her personal goals.</p><p>&#8220;We all need some level of assistance during a period of change or just life in general,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I owe a large amount of my success to my mom and my dad who gave me nothing but their unconditional love and support. I can&#8217;t thank you enough.&#8221;</p><p>Smirne received a standing ovation following her speech.</p><p>Bernard Prevuznak, superintendent at Wilkes-Barre Area School District and alumnus from Wilkes College Class of 1980, continued Smirne&#8217;s theme of perseverance.</p><p>Prevuznak told graduates to think about what it took to achieve the spot they are in today.</p><p>&#8220;You had to be dedicated to a cause and you had to work hard to earn your diploma,&#8221; he said.</p><p>He also asked students to take a minute and reflect on all of those people who made sacrifices for them to have the educational opportunity.</p><p>&#8220;For me, it was my parents and my grandparents and my wife,&#8221; Prevuznak said. &#8220;Who toiled for you so you could have this day in the sun?&#8221;</p><p>Wilkes University President Patrick F. Leahy wrapped up the ceremony by offering graduates two parting thoughts: gratitude and dreams.</p><p>&#8220;I hope you will find a way to thank everyone who made today possible for you,&#8221; he said. &#8220;For many, today marks a dream achieved, but I hope this dream will make it possible to dream anew.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Twenty-five-year-old Natalie Smirne, of Avoca, gives a speech on overcoming obstacles during the Wilkes University 2016 Winter Commencement on Sunday. Vicki and Mark Smirne, parents of Natalie Smirne, stand to applaud their daughter&#8217;s emotional speech during the Wilkes University 2016 Winter Commencement ceremony held at the Arnaud C. Marts Sports and Conference Center in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTl012516Wilkesgraduates1-4.jpg</photo0><caption0>Twenty-five-year-old Natalie Smirne, of Avoca, gives a speech on overcoming obstacles during the Wilkes University 2016 Winter Commencement on Sunday. Vicki and Mark Smirne, parents of Natalie Smirne, stand to applaud their daughter&#8217;s emotional speech during the Wilkes University 2016 Winter Commencement ceremony held at the Arnaud C. Marts Sports and Conference Center in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. </caption0><photoCredit0>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTl012516Wilkesgraduates2-4.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Natalie Smirne, holding microphone, gives a speech during Wilkes' commencement at the Marts Center on Sunday.  1/24/16  Sean McKeag | Times Leader</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTl012516Wilkesgraduates2-4.jpg</photo1><caption1>Natalie Smirne, holding microphone, gives a speech during Wilkes' commencement at the Marts Center on Sunday.  1/24/16  Sean McKeag | Times Leader</caption1><photoCredit1>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>228 graduate at Winter Commencement</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Eileen Godin</p><p>egodin@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>GRADUATE LIST</strong></p><p>For a list of Wilkes University&#8217;s 2016 Winter Commencement graduates, visit <a href="http://tlgets.me/j12" target="_blank">tlgets.me/j12</a> or find a link in this story on <a href="https://www.timesleader.com" target="_blank">timesleader.com</a>.</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Eileen Godin at 570-991-6387 or on Twitter @TLNews.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Wilkes University graduates told to persevere, give thanks and keep dreaming