Golden graduation

Andrew Edwards

The 1,108 members of Golden West College’s graduating class each have

different stories to tell. None entered the school by the same route,

and each one has a different hope for the future.

But on Friday, the class of 2004 came together wearing green, gold

and white gowns as their families watched them graduate.

Some of the graduates went to Golden West right after high school,

as the first step toward a university diploma. For others, taking

classes was part of a plan to move forward with a career, or came

after a long absence from the classroom.

Graduate Debbie Mejia, 42, finished high school 23 years ago.

After two decades out of school, she returned and now plans to

continue her studies and start a new career.

“I’m going to be a teacher and get a teaching credential at Long

Beach State,” Mejia said.

Another student who attended Golden West after spending years out

of school is aspiring animator Kevin Kelley.

“I just drew independently and never went to school, and after 10

years I decided to go to school and get a degree in it,” he said.

The flags of several nations, representing the homelands of

international students, flew during the ceremony. Graduates were from

Sweden, Lebanon and Taiwan..

Takami Suzuki, who works at a Japanese language TV station,

received a journalism certificate on Friday.

“Broadcasting is really interesting because the station is really

small and I have to do everything,” she said.

The Outstanding Student Award was given to Heather Arroyo. Arroyo

served in several school organizations and as student body president.

She plans to study chemistry at a university and has been accepted to

UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara.

Arroyo came to Golden West after dropping out of high school. In

college, she was able to find her way to the top of the campus.

During her address to the class of 2004, Arroyo thanked her

teachers and family for supporting her.

“Ten years ago I felt like my family’s biggest disappointment, but

now I want to thank you for not giving up on me,” she said as she

broke into tears.

When the names of graduating students were read over the

loudspeakers, the announcements were punctuated by the cheers and

applause of the graduate’s families and friends.

Leon Pham attended the ceremony to support his aunt Van Pham. “She

recently came from Vietnam about 5 years ago ... to be able to

graduate, I’m very proud of her,” he said.