On a hot June morning, a sprawling community college in the West San Fernando Valley was the place where students from many walks of life, from life-long valley residents to at least one from a village in East Africa, turned a page in their academic journeys.
The 76th Commencement honored Pierce College’s 2024 graduating class on Thursday at Shepard Stadium.
Pierce student Shandani Jackson was awarded a posthumous associate of arts degree, and it was presented by President Ara Aguiar to Jackson’s mother Nereida Santiago and Jackson’s daughter.
Jackson died on May 4, just a month before graduation.
“Shandani was a beloved student who touched all of us with her personality and hard work,” Aguiar said. “She was scheduled to be at the commencement, but tragically, this was not to be.”
Student speaker Jacob Amanya, a psychology major, reflected on his previous education journey in the countries of Tanzania and Uganda. He started his college experience as an introvert who was ashamed of his accent, but he stood before the crowd as a U.S. Marine and a member of various clubs on campus, including Umoja.
“I joined the Umoja program, which I considered to be one of the best decisions I made in life and here on campus,” Amanya said. “I was surrounded with students who were more like me, and this made life in college easier than it was before.”
Umoja recognized Amanya for his academic achievement. He graduated on the Dean’s list and the President’s Honor list.
Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees President Nichelle Henderson congratulated the class of 2024.
“The path to success isn’t always smooth, but you have demonstrated that hard work and determination will keep you on track,” Henderson said. “Your desire to succeed must be greater than your fear of failure.”
Graduate Christopher Perez Escobedo wore a customized graduation cap that said “Jerez, Zacatecas” and had the Mexican flag. Perez Escobedo, a history major, faced challenges with meeting deadlines, so he was proud to make it to the commencement stage.
“I feel very happy and satisfied with [myself] because it was not very easy during these two years,” Perez Escobedo said.
Shane Gomez, a film major, graduated from Pierce with the intention of capturing time, moments and cultures around the world, and described how time goes by so quickly.
“I’m a little nervous for what’s to come,” Gomez said. “I finally got out of Pierce, something that I dreamed of as a kid.”
Graduate Hazzel Borrayos, a business administration major, was handed chocolates and flowers by her family after the commencement. She is transferring to California State University, Northridge for accounting and said she feels excited and nervous about transferring.
“I feel relieved because this gets me close to my goal,” Borrayos said.
Speakers included Associated Student Organization president Gayane Zazyan, who acknowledged the changes she saw on campus during her time at Pierce, and how Pierce put students’ needs first.
“I am a proud graduate of Los Angeles Pierce College,” Zazyan said.
