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The pomp and circumstance was missing for the early and late graduates in Albuquerque Public Schools.

Friday was the last day of the semester and the last day of high school for a group of kids.

Call them the December grads; they are either finishing high school a semester early or a semester late. Either way, they were granted diplomas if they passed their finals and will be counted in the Class of 2008.

More than likely, the district will graduate about 4,000 students in May ceremonies, which the early and late graduates are cordially invited to attend.

Among those who will be included are 21 December grads from Highland High, probably the largest group; six from Albuquerque High and five from La Cueva, based on information provided to The Tribune by registrars.

Highland's numbers are high because it is on a block schedule rather than the traditional semester system, school officials said.

Highland registrar Heather VerBrugee said she typically has 20 grads in December.

"Most of them are late graduates. They've come back to finish, and we're really proud of them."

Toby Herrera, the district's student service center director, said the late graduates deserve special recognition.

"I'm proud of any student who sticks to it for a diploma," he said. "Those with the tenacity to finish are often the most successful adults."

Highland registrar VerBrugee said many of her grads plan to enroll at Central New Mexico Community College.

At La Cueva, at least one student is headed for a military career; at Albuquerque High, one student is going to Tibet and India with Global Learning Across Borders, a semester abroad program.

Maria Gardenia, 17, a new Highland grad who finished early, is headed for college and a career in nursing.

"I took extra classes so I could finish early and start my career earlier," she said. "I want to go to CNM and have an appointment with a counselor there so I can start in January."

She's the first in her family to earn a high school diploma. Her two brothers, also Highland students, are right behind her, she hopes.

"I've told my brothers to try to finish school and have good grades. Both of them like school," she said.

Gardenia said nursing called to her because "when I see people who are sick, I want to help them."