Big Bend graduates 466 students

MOSES LAKE - When Big Bend Community College commencement is held in the De Vries Activity Center, family and friends cluster in the comers, next to the stage, to capture the big moment.

A family celebrates multiple graduations, a woman and her nephews, all recorded by her brother and their dad. A mom's walk across the stage is captured by her daughter.

A BBCC graduate is there, camera in hand, as his daughter makes the second generation to receive a diploma. And even people who can't be there get in on the action - a graduate's walk is live-streamed via cellphone.

Commencement 2014 was held June 13, moved from Lions Field to the gym because of the possibility of bad weather.

There were 466 graduates in the class of 2014, BBCC President Terry Leas said, the oldest age 58, the youngest 17. Leas said for most of them it wasn't a solo effort. The graduates agreed with him, applauding for their families and friends who filled the stands, and for their professors, who led them into the building.

Commencement speaker Kristofer Johnson said graduates already have the most important thing employers are seeking. Johnson, president of the Association of Washington Business, said employers want a good work ethic. They need employees who have the skills and training to help them meet the challenges in the 21st Century economy. "Well, you're sitting right here," he said.

Sylvia Green, of Warden, was injured while working at her old job and decided to change course. When looking at possible careers "I decided I'd use my brain," she said. Her plan, she said, is to get a bachelor's degree and "to help disabled people."

Traci Strawn, of Moses Lake, was a certified nursing assistant; she too wanted a career change, she said. She graduated with a medical assistant degree. "It felt impossible," doing all that work, but it was well worth it, she said. "Long time coming," she said.

Ivan Hernandez is a military veteran, an Othello kid who's looking at a career in social work. His goal, he said, is to work with kids in gangs. He tried other community colleges before settling on BBCC, he said. With the smaller student body, instructors can take more time with students, he said.

Teddy Ray Plumb, of Moses Lake, was a musician, mostly, for a couple of decades, he said. He wanted to be a pilot but medical considerations got in the way, he said. As a result, he enrolled in the aviation mechanic program. "Found my niche, I guess," he said