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Hard work pays off for graduates of Oxnard College
Photos by Karen Quincy Loberg/ Star staff Barbara J. Tarango receives her associate degree Wednesday during the commencement ceremony at Oxnard College. About 300 students participated in the ceremony at Track Stadium.
Karen Quincy Loberg/ Star staff Alma Sumaran, center, shows off her degree Wednesday.
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More from GraduationsOxnard College student Charles Proctor may have taken a little longer to get his degree than many students graduating alongside him Wednesday, but he made sure he was first in line to receive his diploma.
Arriving early, the 43-year old Oxnard resident claimed the top spot in front of hundreds of graduates before the start of the commencement exercises.
"I waited a long time to get this, so I want to be in the front row," said Proctor, a mechanic who graduated with highest honors for achieving a perfect grade-point average.
While 445 students were eligible for either an associate of arts degree or an associate of science degree, about 300 students participated in the college's 33rd graduation ceremony at the Track Stadium. An additional 200 students were honored with a certificate of achievement after completing vocational programs.
The wait for a diploma after years of studying was well worth it for Proctor, who said his perseverance to get his associate's degree was for his two sons, one born a week ago.
"If I want my kids to succeed, I need to set a good example," said Proctor, who plans to study business at CSU Channel Islands.
Technical difficulties with the sound system delayed the keynote address by Sergio Lagunas, the college's student government president, but the graduates used the time to do the traditional "wave," stomp their feet on the bleachers where they sat and call friends and family in the audience from their cell phones.
Lagunas, who started at Oxnard College in 2005, is the first in his family to attend college.
"I wanted to be someone of importance, and I know Oxnard College has prepared me for those goals," said Lagunas, who will transfer to UC Santa Barbara in the fall.
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