The following day, 吃瓜头条 held its 60th commencement ceremony at the main campus in Merced. More than 500 graduates gathered on Don Odishoo Field at Stadium 鈥�76
All told, more than 3,000 degrees and certificates have been earned by 吃瓜头条 students for the 2022-23 academic year, with 1,600 degrees and 1,489 certificates being awarded to 1,726 students in this year鈥檚 class鈥攖he highest totals since before the COVID-19 pandemic began.
At the Merced ceremony, Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria shared her tale of growing up in the Central Valley, and the many obstacles and challenges she overcame in order to obtain her education and establish her career.
鈥淒on鈥檛 let any setback define your success,鈥� Soria said. 鈥淭rials in life are temporary, but they will make you stronger. Build the strength you need to continue moving, because people are counting on you. 鈥� Our community needs you, the Central Valley needs you, and you are the future!鈥�
The Class of 2023 includes 425 students who are graduating with honors, having earned a grade-point average of 3.50 or better with a minimum of 45 units completed. And 31 of those students have earned Superintendent鈥檚 Honors by maintaining a GPA of 4.0 with at least 36 units completed.
鈥淔or many of you, tonight represents a better future, a prosperous beginning, a pathway out of poverty, and a steppingstone to your career or next pursuit in higher education,鈥� President Chris Vitelli told the graduates. 鈥淚t is my sincere hope that you leave here tonight not only proud of your personal achievements, but also with a sense of pride in your newest alma mater, 吃瓜头条.鈥�
Both ceremonies featured emotional messages from student speakers.
In Los Banos, Caitlin Boyer shared that her father had passed away the morning of the ceremony. Boyer, a returning student who graduated with a pair of associate degrees in criminal justice and social and behavioral science, told of the false starts she encountered early in her educational life and the value in continuing to strive toward one鈥檚 goals.
鈥淟ife is not easy,鈥� Boyer said. 鈥淭here are going to be wonderful, beautiful times, and there will be times that will challenge you to your core. Understand that these difficult times are beautiful too, and they are making you into a force to be reckoned with.鈥�
Stacey Ramos-Avila, the student speaker at the Merced ceremony, lost her husband in a car accident years ago, leaving her a single mother to four children. She recalled the knock at her door when she received the news, and the difficulties she later overcame in order to pursue her education and reclaim her life and dreams.
鈥淒on鈥檛 wait for life to come knocking on your door,鈥� Ramos-Avila said. 鈥淔ind the way to awaken your inner drive and motivation. Your life is full of possibilities. Embrace that potential and take action to chase your dreams and live the life you were meant to live.鈥�
