An estimated 1,100 students will gather district-wide later this month to graduate. Family, friends, students and faculty will be in attendance at the ceremonies.

“We’ve had more and more students graduating in the past five years. The number of students graduating has gone from about 200 to 300,” said Oxnard’s Public Relations Director Cathy Garnica. “This is a big deal for the students’ families, too, which is why we’ve moved the ceremony from the gym, where it is usually held, to the new track and field stadium, which can accommodatemore people.”

Oxnard’s graduation will be held May 18 at 1:30 p.m. The board of trustees will be present, and several members along with two nominated student speakers will speak. A total crowd of about 2,500 – 3,000 is expected at the ceremony. Oxnard College’s scholarship ceremony, which occurred on April 30, also awarded graduating students. Moorpark’s graduation ceremony will be a two-part event as well, with a Scholarship Reception and Graduation Ceremony the following day. The Associated Students and the College Foundation are hosting the scholarship reception on May 17, according to Moorpark College Public Relations Director Jeannie Brown, where an estimated $150,000 will be offered in scholarships.

Moorpark College’s actual commencement ceremony will take place in the campus quad on May 18 at 5:30 p.m. Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten will be the event’s keynote speaker.

Ventura will have their ceremony on May 17 at 1:30 p.m in the athletic events center. The College President will address the students. There will be a graduation breakfast before-hand and a reception after the ceremony. This year’s ceremony is especially important, because it is the college’s 80th anniversary. Faculty and staff participating in the event will wear a commemorative medallion in honor of the reunion.