Photo Gallery: West Hills College Lemoore awards nearly 500 degrees at commencement

Hundreds of families and friends gathered to celebrate with the over 400 students who participated in the ceremony in the Golden Eagle Arena.

The students also heard from several speakers, including WHCL President Dr. Kristin Clark, commencement speaker Captain Monty Ashliman—commanding officer of NAS Lemoore—and student speaker Casandra Ramirez-Sanchez.

“If you ever wondered if your hard work would pay off, if you’ve ever second guessed yourself, if you questioned whether this day would ever come, just look around you,” said Clark. “This day is here.”

Ashliman’s commencement address emphasized the importance of team work and communication and encouraged the students to continue their education.

“Once you go here, you can go anywhere is absolutely a reality,” he said.

Ramirez-Sanchez, a member of the 2016 graduating class, spoke about the importance of the help that she’s had from others during her time at WHCL.

Several students were also recognized during the ceremony as recipients of Academic Senate Awards, which honor top students in different learning areas.

The ceremony also included the reading of an original poem by graduating student Denise Burris-McKendell.

While at WHCL, all of this year’s graduating students were able to take advantage of West Hills College’s innovative Reg365 program which allows students to register for a full year’s worth of classes at one time. Many of the graduating students were also participants in the Associate Degree for Transfer program, which guarantees admission at a school in the California State University system. 

Photos by Dennis Gallegos, West Hills College District