LEWISTON — Fun? You bet.

Rewarding? No doubt about it.

Glad it’s over?

As far as Taylor Adler is concerned, that’s a big affirmative, too.

The 32-year-old mother from Lewiston was one of more than 600 people to graduate Thursday night from Central Maine Community College in Auburn.

The graduation ceremony was held at The Colisee in Lewiston and as usual, the arena was filled with family and friends of those picking up their diplomas.

Graduating with a degree in human services, it was Alder’s second time around for post-secondary education. In 2015 she graduated from Kaplan University, a school she attended when she was merely a mother of two.

By the time she started at CMCC, Adler was a mother of four, including twin girls. And this is a woman who also works a full-time job.

Getting this degree, she said, was not easy. She could not have done it without the support of her husband, Jake.

“It was a battle,” Adler said. “It was work full-time, practicum part-time, school work and then mom. It was chaos. I’m happy it’s done.”

In her commencement address, Katie Shorey, director at Live + Work in Maine and president of Startup Maine, cautioned the graduates about being too eager to leave the state as they plan their futures.

“There is real opportunity here,” she told the class. “Because here’s the truth I want to share with you: Maine is growing. Quietly. Steadily. Boldly. Innovation is happening here. New businesses are being born. Communities are being reimagined. I see it firsthand every day in my work. And there is so much room for people like you to be part of it.”

Shorey, who grew up in Sweden but who now lives in Auburn, left the state to work in the political, nonprofit and consulting sectors in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. But then a visit home reminded her of how much she loved Maine and she learned of growing opportunities here.

“Wherever you’re headed,” Shorey said, “know this: Maine is ready for your skills — and your passion. Whether you’re going into the trades, starting a business, pursuing another degree, or still figuring it all out — you are entering a Maine that is ready for you.”

Shorey’s message might also have relevance for those students who traveled from afar to attend CMCC, as well. This year’s graduates are from six different countries, 15 states and every county in Maine except Hancock.

“Maine is not a place you have to escape from to succeed,” she told them. “It’s a place where you can come to thrive.”

Four graduates, including Brianna Proctor of Wales, were elected as members of the Phi Theta Kappa All-Maine Academic Team for their exemplary leadership, involvement in the school and service to the community.

“The degree or certificate you will receive here today is a symbol of your success,” Mark Fourre, of the Maine Community College System Board of Trustees, told the graduating class, “and your accomplishments are a testimony to your hard work, commitment and resilience. These essential habits are now a part of your very fiber, and they will serve you well throughout your life.”

As for Taylor Adler, she was surrounded by her family Thursday night when her name was called and her latest round of education came to an end.

“She’s amazing,” said Becky Brown, Taylor’s mother. “She’s someone to be proud of.”

“It was a lot of hard work. A lot of late nights,” Taylor’s husband said. “But as is usual for her, she did the best she could do. She didn’t put in just the bare minimum, she aced almost every class. She takes a lot of pride in what she does. She never does anything halfway.”

Now that she’s done with school, Taylor plans to work as a unit coordinator at Village Clubhouse in Topsham.

Time to coast, right?

Maybe.

“I might go back to school in the future,” Adler said, “but where everything is kind of flipped upside down right now, I’m going to get into this new place, figure it out from there and take it day by day.”