MOSES LAKE — Each of the 538 graduates in the Big Bend Community College class of 2018 made it to commencement from a slightly different direction.

There were single moms like Stephanie Philin, Moses Lake, who wanted a better job, both for herself and her son Bryan. She graduated with a medical assistant’s degree. The medical assistants are the support staff, working the reception desk, among other things, Philin said. And her degree might not be the end of her education – she’s thinking about going back to school for a degree in nursing, she said.

David Gonzalez, Warden, worked through the Trio program, which helps kids who are new – and whose families are new – to higher education. Gonzalez is the first in his family to earn an associate’s degree. The next step, he said, is Eastern Washington University, and eventually a degree in psychology.

Just like every other graduation, BBCC commencement 2018 featured families that had something to celebrate, and did, with family pictures and lots of balloons. “Congratulations, son. I’m proud of you,” said one dad as he hugged a graduate.

Edwin Garay also is the first in his family to graduate from college. Garay, Moses Lake, isn’t going to stop with his associate’s degree. The next step is a degree in chemistry at Washington State University, and eventually medical school.

Medical school is also the goal for Noelia Juarez of Royal City. She too is the first in her family to graduate college, and plans to attend Central Washington University. Joel Torres, Moses Lake, is taking his criminal justice degree and applying for jobs, he said.

Commencement featured triumphant graduates showing off their diploma to family and friends in the stands – and trying to keep the mortarboard on in a gusty wind. A thunderstorm hovered on the horizon, blocking out the sun, kicking up the wind, but never quite bringing any rain. The wind blew so hard it blew the diplomas off the table, which sent some graduates in the front row scrambling to pick them up

David Estudillo, Grant County Superior Court judge, was the commencement speaker, and said it was a big day. “On this day, from my bank account left the final payment of my student loans,” he said. College and law school took 19 years to pay off, he said.

“All I really want to tell you is one thing. Believe,” he said. He cited the example of his parents, who started out as farm workers and ended up owning their own business.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.