Graduating senior Taylor Baer hugs Instructional Assistant Michelle Hicks before the commencement ceremony for The Culinary Institute of Montana on Monday evening, December 8, at Flathead Valley Community College. Hicks is a 2011 graduate of the program who was hired shortly after graduating. The ceremony included remarks by President Jane Karas, Foundation Director Colleen Unterreiner and Executive Chef Howard Karp. Other graduates inlcude: Kelsey Cofer, Zoe Gaiser, Alexander Hanson, Jon Hartig, Cody Hegstrum, Caille Moles, Joseph O'Hagan, Rebecca Tomas, and Terry Van Tine. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)