Ready to make their mark

Suzie Harrison

The picturesque day was a fitting setting for the commencement

ceremony for the Laguna College of Art and Design class of 2004.

The graduate’s faces as they walked to the end of their

undergraduate life glowed with a look of pride and accomplishment.

Chairman of the board of trustees Shirley Rush gave accolades to

the well deserved soon-to-be graduates.

She gave congratulations and thanked them for having the vision to

reach that day, a day she called a proud celebration of success.

Artists are philosophers, visionaries and mystics, according to Rush.

She said they capture the forms and colors and promise vision through

fearless commitment.

“We value you, encourage you, support and believe in you at Laguna

College of Art and Design,” Rush said.

Mayor Cheryl Kinsman said how much the city appreciates the

college and all the accomplishments the city and college have done

together.

“Thank you and keep up what you’re doing now when you go out into

the world,” Kinsman said.

The impressive group of more than 60 students, the largest

graduating class ever, included 30 that earned merit distinction.

College President Alan Barkley gave a cheer, “To the class of

2004, you set the bar higher than before, you’ve changed all our

lives, thank you for being here, you rock.”

Soon to be graduate Sean Christopher continued the line of

inspirational words to the class.

“The journey that brought us here is as diverse as the artists at

Laguna College of Art and Design,” Christopher said. “When we started

our education the journey seemed endless and perilous.”

“With our degree, we’re responsible ambassadors of goodwill to

perpetuate positive achievements and offer a supporting role. We’ve

been given the tools and with all we have, we have what it takes to

make it happen -- to make our mark on this world.”

Pulitzer prize-winning editorial cartoonist Michael Ramirez of the

Los Angeles Times was the guest speaker.

“Every time I come out to the college, I am so impressed and a

little intimidated by the amazing amount of talent you guys have --

and the faculty and facility that nurtures that talent,” Ramirez

said.

One of his key points was to be aware of opportunities and take

hold of opportunities.

“When they surround you, opportunity is everywhere and comes in

many, many forms. Seize those opportunities,” Ramirez said. “If you

can’t find them, make them. Have the courage to stand up for what you

believe in. It only takes one person to make a difference.”

As their names were called, cheers of encouragement rang out.

“I feel ecstatic with a little feeling of dread, I now know that

whatever I do as an artist it will affect my income,” Thoron

Langhorne said. “It’s a long time in coming, I’ve always wanted to do

this living as an artist. My goals are now set ahead and now that

I’ve graduated those goals are all in motion.”

Graduate Joel Woodard gave a short retrospective of his years at

the college.

“It was a really great experience even though I accrued debt. It

was definitely what I needed, I needed direction,” Woodard said.

He focused on improving his drawing and painting.

“A lot of artist painters are my heroes and I wanted to carry on

the linage,” Woodard said. “I like the idea of picking up a pencil or

a pen, picking up whatever materials are around, putting it on paper

and making something incredible out of it -- it’s almost primal in a

way.”

He praised a couple of his professors, who he said will have a

permanent impact on him and his art. “It wasn’t too much of a sense

of finality, I want to stay involved [at Laguna College], keep in

touch, maybe audit a class here and there,” Woodard said. “I feel

like it’s just the beginning now -- it will be good to really do what

I want to do, which is just painting now.”