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West Hills College Lemoore puts on show at school's commencement ceremony
Overall nearly 800 West Hills College Lemoore grads will earn their diplomas this year. They will receive a total of 1,056 degrees or certificates, and every year the number of degrees awarded increase. Almost 30 percent more degrees and certificates were awarded this year than last year.
West Hills College Lemoore President Kristin Clark echoed that fact during her opening remarks Thursday. “This is my favorite day of the year,” she said proudly from the stage. “ Graduates, you have achieved so much, but you couldn’t have done it without the help of others.”
She encouraged the grads to remain humble and pay it forward. “I know it wasn’t easy to get where you are today. You had to balance work, family commitments alongside your studies. Many of you had transportation issues. You wondered where your next meal was coming from, and maybe even some of you had to worry about a place to sleep at night. Sometimes you doubted yourself, and you wondered if you’d ever make it to the finish line. But you stayed strong. You persevered. You were strong, and you did it.”
Student Body President Alan Estrada-Rivera gave the commencement speech. The talented Estrada-Rivera is bound for Cal Poly Pomona where he will pursue a degree in aerospace engineering. “You made it,” he said proudly from the stage. “All your years at West Hills College have paid off in this single day. Today you get to walk on the stage and say, ‘I did it.”
He also told the graduates that nothing should get in their way. “You can overcome anything that comes your way,” he said. “You are continuing a legacy. This degree will change your life. I want you all to promise me today that you will never let anyone shut your story down or brush it off as if it were nothing.”
