Submitted by rashton on Fri, 05/28/2010 - 9:52am
Continuing Education Celebrates Commencement
This Year’s Oldest Graduate is 75 Years Young
SAN DIEGO– San Diego Continuing Education will honor more than 1,100 graduates during Commencement at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park on Wednesday, June 2 at 5 p.m. The ceremony is a collaboration with the San Diego Unified School District Adult High School Diploma Program. The graduates are a collective group: many have, at some point, fallen through the cracks of the traditional education system and chose to re-enter classrooms and complete either their High School Diploma, or a GED; some have completed specific job training skills as part of a certificate program and are eager to enter the workforce; and others have mastered English as their second language.
At age 75, Maria Llamado suffered a stroke ten years ago, which partially paralyzed her, but has since recovered. She takes no medication and walks an hour everyday to attend class at Continuing Education's Centre City Campus. "It takes me about 2,000 steps," she says. "I count the steps to keep my memory sharp. I also use the time for meditation."
Llamado is walking proof that you are never too old for education. "My grandkids were tinkering around with the computer and e-mail and I didn't want to be left behind," she said. After enrolling in computer keyboard classes, Llamado was ambitious enough to complete a Front Desk/Office Assistant Certificate Program, and is participating in commencement as this year's oldest graduate.
The representative student speaker for the ceremony is age 37 and left middle school without being able to read or write. She lived homeless on the streets for a while; found some solace in a church; then worked as a missionary in Tijuana before meeting up with a group who helped her get back to education.
She is proud to represent her class as commencement speaker for 2010. “I have my Ph.D. from the street, and now my GED from CE,” she says.
"El conocimiento abre puertas y derriva fronteras,” is a Mexican expression that means "knowledge opens doors and flattens boundaries,” said Dr. Anthony E. Beebe, President of Continuing Education. “Commencement is the ultimate example of how we can change lives by helping people achieve their educational goals.”
Awards include 227 GEDs, 600 High School Diplomas, and 340 certificates of completion for career technical education programs. More than $19,000in scholarships will help 68 graduates with additional educational goals. Approximately 450 graduates are expected to participate in the ceremony.
Additional Student Success
Priscilla Angulo’s education was interrupted when she became pregnant at age 15. While working two jobs, she completed her high school diploma and plans to attend community college.
Due to the impact of the poor economy, at age 42, Eric Hill needed a new set of skills, which he found at Continuing Education in the short term job training program for Automotive Technician. Hill’s first career lasted 16 years as a computer technician and included employment at Gateway, and as an independent consultant. His new automotive skills helped him land a job at Bob Baker Toyota of Lemon Grove.
Hill says he learned three years’ worth of knowledge and skills in just six months, including having hands-on experience from older vehicles, to newer electric models. He credits the professionalism and individualized instruction from Continuing Education instructors for his new-found confidence and success.
The Soroptimist International of La Jolla awarded a $2,000 scholarship to Continuing Education student Ngoc T (Tina) Pham. The scholarship is their Women’s Opportunity Award, and given to a woman who is the head of her household, and who is committed to furthering career goals.
Pham immigrated to the US from Vietnam 18 years ago. After surviving an abusive marriage, she is now divorced and raising six children, ages 3 to 13 years. She will complete the Continuing Education Office Skills Certificate program this summer, and transfer to Mesa College in the fall with plans to secure an AA Degree in Management.
Monique Bernard, age 34, enrolled in computer classes at Continuing Education in 2007 and completed the Front Desk/Office Assistant Certificate, followed by the Administrative Assistant Certificate. As a student with a disability, she overcame challenges by working with Disability Support Programs & Services (DSPS) and by articulating her learning needs to her instructors.
Bernard completed additional BIT courses to enhance her learning. Her new confidence includes working for DSPS part-time as a student office assistant, where she is able to apply what she has learned in class to the world of work. Bernard will remain enrolled in Continuing Education classes to keep her skills sharp, and plans to pursue a certificate program in Human Resource Management at SDSU Extended Studies
# # #
San DiegoContinuing Education is the adult education division of the San Diego Community College District.
SDCE was one of the first continuing education institutions in California to meet the standards for independent accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. More than 100,000 students are served per academic year at six main campuses in San Diego. Noncredit classes are available at no cost, including online options.
Certificate programs are offered for numerous industries including: Automotive Technician, Child Development, Culinary Arts, Nursing Assistant Training, Professional Bakeshop Skills and Web Specialist. Classes are free because San Diego Continuing Education is part of the California system of higher education. Funding also comes through business and industry partnerships. Learn more at www.sdce.edu.