GILROY
– A brief rain shower Friday afternoon cleared away completely
for more than 300 Gavilan College graduates making the traditional
walk across campus in their caps and gowns.
GILROY – A brief rain shower Friday afternoon cleared away completely for more than 300 Gavilan College graduates making the traditional walk across campus in their caps and gowns.
The Class of 2004, set to receive 389 degrees and certificates, were greeted at the Gavilan gymnasium by a crowd of family and friends, who came to celebrate their many and varied successes.
Jimmie Sue Saign was one of those recognized for her academic achievement. She received the year’s Outstanding Scholar Award, having earned a 3.95 grade point average in her pursuit of an associate’s degree in health science. Mayor Al Pinheiro, a Gavilan alum, and state Senator Bruce McPherson, a friend of the college, also were part of the celebration Friday night as the keynote speaker and recipient of an honorary degree.
Gavilan President Steve Kinsella recognized a handful of the many students who proved themselves outstanding over the past couple years. In describing the graduates at the beginning of the ceremony, Kinsella recounted a tale in which a man, having scoured the ends of the earth in search of valuable diamonds, never realized he could have found the beautiful riches in his own plot of land.
“At Gavilan College, we believe that the brightest and most pure diamonds are the students that come here every year,” Kinsella said.
One of those students found in Gavilan’s own backyard was Laura Hain, who received the prestigious Carl S. Pister Scholarship. The award will pay full tuition for two years of study at UC Santa Cruz, where Hain will pursue a degree in dentistry. The scholarship was given to Hain for demonstrating strong leadership, academic excellence and potential to excel in further studies.
The college also found Maureen Ramirez as an example of the adult students who go to Gavilan to acquire new skills and enter a new profession. Ramirez used to put her business and accounting skills to work as she assisted her husband with his construction business. She came to Gavilan to study cosmetology and fulfill her dream of establishing a high-end day spa resort. Ramirez has three children, ages 15, 13 and 9, who likely were part of their mother’s boisterous cheering section, waving a gold, sparkling sign bearing her name as she was recognized.
Nicole Donley, a student athlete and dean’s scholar, was a different kind of jewel. She balanced high academic achievement with athletic achievement, serving as the women’s basketball team captain for two years. Donley will transfer to California State University Stanislaus later this year to continue studying business.
Gavilan also found a gem in Simon Cooke, who plans to study international economics with an emphasis on the Middle East at UC Santa Cruz. The 22-year-old was active in the school’s Associated Student Body and a dean’s list scholar. Cooke already has spent a summer in the Middle East and plans to return in the course of his studies.
As ASB President, Cooke briefly addressed the graduates, encouraging them to hold their heads up high as Gavilan’s 84th graduating class.
“That’s something to think about as you walk up on the stage tonight: Realize that you’re not only part of a tradition that’s well over 50 years old, you’re also part of a tradition that will possibly be hundreds of years old and will last for many generations,” Cooke said.
Mayor Pinheiro, in his keynote address, asked the graduates to get involved in the community if they see something they want to change. After all, getting involved in the solution was how he brought change, as a Gilroy High School student amazed that there was no soccer team on which to play.
Pinheiro joined the student government to start a small team that, at first, didn’t even have uniforms.
“It all transfers to getting something done,” Pinheiro said.
Even though Gavilan graduates and South Valley residents may come from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, “there’s one thing we have in common,” he said, “and that is that we want: the best for our families and for ourselves. And in order to achieve that goal, you must get involved in making changes.”
Alice Colton, a 38-year-old mother of two, said she already feels she is making a difference with her new associate’s degree in Registered Nursing. The Hollister resident is currently working at that city’s Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital.
“It’s important to remind people to be involved in community services,” Colton said. “That’s what I do.”
Gavilan Board President Laura Perry presented Sen. McPherson with an honorary degree, calling him friend of Gavilan and long-time advocate of public education. McPherson represents the 15th Senate District, which includes Santa Cruz.
McPherson echoed some of Pinheiro’s recommendations to get involved in public service. He focused on several other qualities that will take the graduates far, such as integrity, responsibility, adaptation, service and appreciation.
“Treat people with great respect and dignity and don’t lump people into a group based on what they look like or where they come from,” McPherson said. “Remember the Golden Rule: Treat people as you would like to be treated. Recognize the worth of other people and give yourself the same courtesy.”
Graduation marks a new beginning for all of Gavilan’s graduates. Many will transfer to four-year schools and some will continue their education beyond that. Others will continue on the career paths they already have begun or forge new ones.
Avanti Kulkarni, a 22-year-old wheelchair-bound participant in Gavilan’s disabled students program, proudly received her Award of Achievement in career preparation after her brother wheeled her across the stage. For Kulkarni, who after the ceremony was swarmed by family praising her accomplishment, graduation represented a beginning of a different sort. Just last week, she moved into an apartment of her own in San Jose.
“I’m so happy,” she said.
Lori Stuenkel covers education for The Dispatch. She can be reached at 842-6400 x277 or ls*******@************ch.com.
