They missed their chance to graduate in June, but about 40 students from Watsonville and Pajaro Valley high schools stuck with their studies over the summer.

Their work paid off Friday as they picked up diplomas during a ceremony at the Henry J. Mello Center. "It feels good to graduate," said Nadia Noriega, dressed in her gold cap and gown.

Though they didn't get to join in the June festivities, the second-chance graduation ceremony was just as sweet.

June graduates came to show support, screaming friends' names and spinning noise makers. Families applauded as the black- and gold-gowned graduates walked across the stage to get their diplomas.

The students weren't able to graduate in June because of missing credits or failure to pass the California High School Exit Examination. Some still had more work to do, and couldn't participate in Friday's ceremony.

"Some students are so far behind in credits they're going to have to finish up at adult school. The ones that graduated this summer are the ones that had only one or two classes they had to make up," said Terry Eastman, district curriculum director. "By coming back this summer they have that 2008 as their graduation date and that's really important to them."

Noriega, who didn't graduate earlier because she didn't pass the state exit exam, said she knew of five other students who didn't graduate for the same reason.

"You want to graduate with your friends and class, but because of [the exam] you can't," Noriega said.

After the ceremony, the band JCA of Watsonville played what they called "romantic rock" to signify the student's last day of high school.