On April 15, the Moorpark College Commencement Team held a Grad Fair to kick off graduation season at the Campus Center patio. The event celebrated the soon-to-be graduates with numerous resources about the upcoming commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 22 at 10 a.m.
Students attending the event were greeted warmly, visited informational booths and were welcomed to ask questions about graduation protocols. Associated Students of Moorpark College student worker Zephyrus Waddoups helped graduates ensure they had taken all the necessary steps toward receiving their degrees.
“It’s important to give them the steps towards the right direction as this is a pivotal moment for them,” Waddoups said. “They should be proud of themselves for coming this far.”
The event also included representatives from the Career Center and pricing information from the Moorpark College Bookstore. Students had the chance to purchase regalia, grab a free Class of 2025 lawn sign and pick up additional commencement accessories from the Moorpark College Honors Program, Extended Opportunities Programs and Services and Phi Theta Kappa Honors program.
The Honors Program table is where Nazareth Bautista, a student success coach from the Moorpark College Student Success Center, was stationed to help hand out special medallions to students who completed the Honors Program. Bautista shared some words of advice to encourage the soon-to-be graduates to continue their hard work.
“Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and make opportunities for yourself,” Bautista said. “Sometimes, doors won’t always open for you, so you have to go knock at those doors.”
Fabrizio Gomez, a second-year psychology student and Career Center student worker, was among the many students attending the event. Gomez reflected on his appreciation for his experience and time spent at Moorpark College as he will be graduating alongside his classmates in May.
“I’m proud to have been able to study at one of the best community colleges in California while being a part of one of the most popular programs at Moorpark College,” Gomez said. “Having the chance to build connections with a lot of faculty and get more from this campus has helped me a lot with my future goals.”
This Grad Fair was not just an opportunity for the soon-to-be graduates to purchase their cap and gowns, get any questions answered and take home a free lawn sign — it was a celebration of hard work, dedication and hope for the bright futures that await the Class of 2025.
More information about Moorpark College’s commencement ceremony can be found on the commencement website. Information on post-graduation opportunities at Moorpark College, including the Alumni Association, can be found on the Alumni website.
