Several students at Moorpark College worked hard through out the years towards higher education.

On Wednesday, their effort paid off.

“Welcome, class of 2010, to your moment in the sun,” said Moorpark College President Pam Eddinger at the commencement ceremony.

The forty-third commencement had 340 students walk to receive either an associate degree or Certificate of Achievement.

The Ventura County Community College District board of trustees were on hand to participate, with Chair Robert Huber speaking to the students, as well as Moorpark College Distinguished Faculty of the Year Sharon Manakas.

Ryan Krebs, president of Associated Student Government at Moorpark, spoke as part of a student address.

“From MC’s phenomenal faculty, to its caring staff, to the maintenance department who keep the grounds immaculate, these graduates and I say thank you,” said Krebs.

Graduating with a degree in social science and general studies, Krebs says one of his accomplishments as president was giving students an opportunity to get more involved with their campus.

“Think we’ve made a difference for the students to interact and participate on campus with events and giveaways and programs,” said Krebs.

Melissa Keena, a 20-year-old liberal studies major and now a graduate, is actually a third generation Moorpark College student.

She even had a few of the same professors as her mother, such as radio and television professor Al Miller.

“It’s wonderful, it’s really unbelievable she had the teachers I had,” said Lynda Keena, Melissa’s mother.

Her daughter, however, is just happy to be graduating after a long semester.

“This last semester I took 19 and one-half units, because I wanted to get out within the two year period,” said Keena.

Sharon Miller, student activities specialist and one of the organizers of the event, says that a student graduating at Moorpark College isn’t just the work of a few professors. Rather, a graduation is the ultimate goal of the combined effort of the college as a whole.

“It took an entire college to make this happen,” said Miller.

While some students looked back at what brought them to this point, 21-year-old liberal arts and sciences major Darren Correll, who wants to get a job in the water district, is ready to look towards the road ahead.

“I’m going to miss some things about it (Moorpark College), but it’s good to move on and start going on with the direction of whatever I’m going to be doing for the rest of my life,” said Correll.