Shandi Foos had a graduation present to give her classmate Anthony Stengel at their pinning ceremony Thursday night.

"It's pencils," Foos laughed, as she handed over the gift. "Because you never had one."

Foos, 21, and Stengel, 23, are both graduating from Casper College's radiography program tonight. Commencement begins at 7 p.m. at the Casper Events Center.

The Casper College class of 2008 has 578 graduates, 305 of whom are graduating with associate degrees of science. The graduates come from 21 states, including Wyoming, and eight foreign countries.

The youngest graduate this year is Melissa Salvato, 19. She graduated from Natrona County High School in 2007. The oldest graduate is Darlene Childers, 58.

Students in health science professions receive pins to honor their accomplishments leading up to graduation. Before their pinning ceremony on Thursday, Stengel and Foos reflected on how it felt to be taking the next step in their lives.

"I can't believe it's here," Stengel said.

"I'm excited," Foos added.

Graduates plan their pinning ceremony a year before graduation, said radiography program director Laurie Weaver. A pinning ceremony is about celebrating their achievements with their families, friends and classmates.

"The health science programs are really rigorous," Weaver said. "It's great that they have each other."

During their two years in the radiography program, students and teachers form close bonds with each other, Weaver added. Foos and Stengel agreed, noting the numerous jokes classmates played on each other through clinicals and classes.

But the toughest part of graduating will be saying goodbye. Foos will work at Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie, and Stengel is in search of a job while he works part-time at Wyoming Medical Center.

"It's going to be hard to leave behind all the people we've built bonds with," Foos said.

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com.

If you go

Casper College's commencement begins at 7 p.m. this evening at the Casper Events Center.