Capping off the journey

Cathie Lawrence


This past May marked Los Medanos College’s record setting 42nd Commencement Ceremony which. The large group of graduating Mustangs congregated on the football field in the early evening in preparation for the night’s events. Parents, friends and other assorted loved ones showed up with flowers, balloons and life-sized cardboard cutouts of graduates’ heads.

LMC Vice President Kevin Horan welcomed attendees, then veteran and LMC grad Tito Ramos led the school in reciting the pledge of allegiance. President Bob Kratochvil then spoke and expressed his pride for the class of 2016. He noted that the staff and faculty at LMC strive to provide “the tools, support, learning opportunities and equitable incomes that lead to the achievement of their goals.”

At the end of his speech, Kratochvil thanked the loved ones of the graduates “for coming to celebrate the class of 2016.”

He acknowledged just how important it is to have a strong support system to help you through your education in the commencement program–– he said, “It is our mission to be the primary path to success for all of our students.” Each following speech echoed that sentiment.

Kratochvil ended his speech by saying “Stay true to who you are, stand firm in what you believe. Follow your passion and be ready for new opportunities.”

Classified Senate president Linda Koehler introduced student speakers Nakaela Hall, who graduated with a degree in business Office Administration and Small business Operations and Janette Bustos Borracio, who graduated with a degree in Liberal Arts.

Hall spoke first, leaving graduates with this piece of advice: “Believe in yourself so that others may come in contact with you and find inspiration to believe in themselves.”

After, Borracio took the stage to talk about all the ways LMC has had a positive impact on her life. She also expressed how proud she is of her fellow graduates.

“Go show the world your Mustang awesomeness,” she said. “And when you make it to the top, don’t forget the community college that shaped us into the scholars we have become.”

She ended her speech with an ecstatic “Mustang pride for life!”

The big moment arrived. Academic Senate president Silvester Henderson, Business Department faculty member Elizabeth Perman and Vocational Technology Department faculty member Leonard Price announced the graduates.

Kratochvil closed the ceremony and with a celebratory cheer, the newly graduated class of 2016 was set free to explore new ventures.