The 49th Moorpark College commencement ceremony took place with approximately 450 students walking across the stage and hundreds more present in friends and family coming to see their fresh graduates receive their diplomas on the evening of Thursday, May 19.

Students graduating during this academic year lined the concrete walkways of the campus in a long line of black robes and silver and gold tasseled caps. Aged from just 13 to 76, they slowly marched towards the stage where College President Luis Sanchez would applaud them and tell how very proud he and the staff were of the graduating class, acknowledging the many difficulties students need to face through the challenges of higher education.

“For most of you this has not been an easy journey,” said Sanchez. “For many it has been an extraordinarily difficult journey…and yet here you are to claim your rightful badge and our enormous respect.”

Sanchez took special time to recognize the faculty and classified staff of the college including both the Classified Staff Employee of the Year Kerry Mehle, Distinguished Faculty of the Year Gary Wilson, and veterans of the armed forces who were graduating.

One such student was Efren Moreno, 31, business law major, who took a break to serve in the Marine Corps. He and his brother, Raul Moreno, were energetic and enthusiastic about their time at the college.

“Stick with it, it’s awesome,” said Raul, before both brothers agreed. “It’s a great campus, great professors.”

Also special recognition was given to Pranav Oswin Kalyan, 13, who is the youngest student from the college to graduate with two associate degrees in general studies in natural science and mathematics.

A host of speakers trailed Sanchez’s introduction, all with inspiring comments and sentiments to impart upon outbound students.

Board of Trustees Chair Larry Kenedy wanted students to focus on what gives them the drive to continue their hard journeys through college.

“I think you should listen to yourself and be your own person,” Kennedy said. “Figure out what you love to do in your career and find a way to make someone pay for it!”

Just before the students began walking, Dr. Lori Bennett arrived on stage to give a special degree in memoriam to Cody Hoffman who tragically passed in a car crash on March 29 of this year. She spoke of Moorpark College as a place where everyone cares for each other.

“When you come here, you join a family,” said Bennett, before asking each student to give those on their left and right a hug or a handshake.

Hoffman’s parents were in attendance to receive the degree and the ceremony was met with a standing ovation.

The students themselves, jittering with excitement and the chill of the wind prior to the ceremony, were abuzz with comments on their educational pilgrimage.

Twenty-year-old nursing major Katelyn McGroarty heads to California State University Channel Islands after graduation, mirroring the inspirational attitude of the speakers in her final moments as a student.

“Reach for your dreams,” said McGroarty with a bright grin before thanking all her friends and family who helped her reach this point.

Cole Ancheronti, 22, business major, was happy his determination and strength to continue, even through hardship with his family, carried him through to the end.

“[It’s] hard to put it in to words,” said Ancheronti. “[It’s a] testament to never give up on yourself.”

Melanie Ackermann, 29, history major and transferring to to CSUN, wants to become a special education teacher, but on Thursday evening when asked if she was excited to be finished at Moorpark College she only had one emphatic thing to say:

“Hell yes!” said Ackermann.