BBCC celebrates record-breaking graduation
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 months, 2 weeks AGO
One Big Bend Community College graduate throws his cap into the air after turning his tassel.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
A Big Bend Community College graduate takes a selfie before getting her diploma at graduation Friday.
Elijah Legault plays the national anthem on the guitar at Big Bend Community College graduation Friday.
ASB President Selyla Gonzalez-Hueso gives the 2025 class address at the Big Bend Community College graduation.
A Big Bend Community College graduate walks back to her seat with her diploma.
A Big Bend Community College graduate waves to people in the crowd at graduation Friday.
Two Big Bend Community College graduates walk onto Lions Field on Friday.
Two Big Bend Community College graduates fist-bump one another after getting their diplomas Friday.
A Big Bend Community College graduate walks back to his seat, diploma in hand, Friday during graduation.
One Big Bend Community College graduate hugs her teacher during graduation Friday.
A Big Bend Community College graduate checks out his diploma while walking back to his seat Friday.
Big Bend Community College President Sara Thompson Tweedy addresses the class of 2025 at graduation Friday.
A Big Bend Community College student waves at her friend after getting her diploma Friday.
Two students look for friends and family in the crowd on Friday. The Big Bend Community College class of 2025 had the largest graduating class in the college’s history.
A graduate makes a heart gesture to ASB President Selyla Gonzalez-Hueso as she sits on stage waiting to give her speech.
MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College held its 62nd commencement ceremony Friday night at Lions Field, where it celebrated the largest graduating class in the college’s history. A total of 663 graduates received their degrees.
Sara Thompson Tweedy, BBCC’s 10th president, highlighted the importance of the occasion.
“We are here tonight to recognize and celebrate our graduates, as well as to honor the friends and family, faculty and staff who helped our graduates arrive on this day,” she said.
The ceremony was attended by graduates and their families from across the United States, including California, Hawaii and Idaho, as well as international attendees from Canada and Israel.
The ceremony featured translations in Spanish by Vice Chair Bethany Martinez of the Board of Trustees.
“It’s important for us to include all voices in this celebration,” Martinez said.
Among the standout moments was the performance of the national anthem, played by Elijah Legault on guitar.
As the performance concluded, Thompson Tweedy invited graduates to thank their faculty and staff for their unwavering support throughout their educational journey.
“No student achieves this milestone without family, friends, and dedicated college employees,” she said.
The graduating class completed the year with a variety of degrees with: 41 students earning bachelor of applied science degrees, 316 students who earned an art and science degree, 94 with an associate in applied science degree, 17 with an associate in nursing transfer degree, 21 business transfer degrees, 12 associate in applied science transfer degrees, five general studies degrees, 10 associate in science transfer degrees, seven pre-nursing transfer degrees, three computer science transfer degrees and 159 high school diplomas.
“These degrees symbolize not only knowledge but also persistence, a renewed sense of self-confidence, and inner strength,” Bryce Humpherys, vice president for Learning and Student Success, said.
Graduates reflected on the challenges and triumphs they faced during their academic journeys. Martha Mabry, a graduate of the Bachelor of Applied Science program, shared her journey of returning to school after 25 years.
“This moment represents more than a degree; it’s the result of faith, effort, and a long journey filled with sacrifice, growth, and hope,” she said. “I am proud to say I made it.”
Mabry credited her family with her success, particularly her children.
“You were the first in our family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. You inspired me to finish what I began,” she told her eldest daughter, Jackie, before thanking her support system, including her husband and parents.
Fellow graduate Selyla Gonzalez-Hueso, the Associated Student Body president, talked about the opportunities available to the graduates.
“Today we honor and celebrate the accomplishments each one of you has achieved, will continue to achieve,” she said. “This accomplishment opens doors to many opportunities that will help you strive for your next goal in life.”
Gonzalez-Hueso further brought attention to the importance of the immigrant experience and its relevance to the student body.
“No matter how hard someone tries to stop the immigrant seed we all have within us, we will continue to thrive together as a community,” she said.
Thompson Tweedy had a final message for the newly minted graduates.
“You make us proud,” she said. “As you go out into the world, remember to pause in grateful recognition of those who helped you along this journey. You have fulfilled not only your own personal dreams but also the hopes of those who have loved you.”
A Big Bend Community College graduate takes a selfie before getting her diploma at graduation Friday.
Elijah Legault plays the national anthem on the guitar at Big Bend Community College graduation Friday.
ASB President Selyla Gonzalez-Hueso gives the 2025 class address at the Big Bend Community College graduation.
A Big Bend Community College graduate walks back to her seat with her diploma.
A Big Bend Community College graduate waves to people in the crowd at graduation Friday.
Two Big Bend Community College graduates walk onto Lions Field on Friday.
Two Big Bend Community College graduates fist-bump one another after getting their diplomas Friday.
A Big Bend Community College graduate walks back to his seat, diploma in hand, Friday during graduation.
One Big Bend Community College graduate hugs her teacher during graduation Friday.
A Big Bend Community College graduate checks out his diploma while walking back to his seat Friday.
Big Bend Community College President Sara Thompson Tweedy addresses the class of 2025 at graduation Friday.
A Big Bend Community College student waves at her friend after getting her diploma Friday.
Two students look for friends and family in the crowd on Friday. The Big Bend Community College class of 2025 had the largest graduating class in the college’s history.
A graduate makes a heart gesture to ASB President Selyla Gonzalez-Hueso as she sits on stage waiting to give her speech.ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
Mayor Peter Sharp takes oath of office
SOAP LAKE – Grant County Commissioner Kevin Burgess adminstered the oath of office to Mayor Peter Sharp Wednesday. Sharp was previously appointed to this role at the Sept. 18, 2024, council meeting after his predecessor Allen DuPay quit during the Aug. 7, 2024, meeting.
Newhouse, colleagues introduce infrastructure bill
WASHINGTON D.C. — On November 21, 2025, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers introduced the Urban Canal Modernization Act, HR 6279, aimed at addressing the deteriorating condition of urban canal infrastructure across the country. This legislation, sponsored by Representatives Dan Newhouse, R-WA; Mike Simpson, R-ID; Adam Gray, D-CA; and Russ Fulcher, R-ID focuses on providing federal support for the extraordinary operation and maintenance of urban canals deemed to be at significant risk of failure. “As communities in Grant County and elsewhere face serious risks from aging canal systems, it is imperative that we act now to ensure vital water infrastructure is maintained and upgraded,” Newhouse wrote in a statement. “The Bureau of Reclamation’s canals are in dire need of repairs, and the surrounding communities who rely on them would be at risk if they were to fail. This legislation provides local authorities with additional resources to manage these critical pieces of infrastructure while protecting the people and property around canals of concern.”
Ephrata water tower waiting for final tests
EPHRATA — The City of Ephrata is still waiting for the final testing to come back to the water tower. The city had originally hoped the tower would be connected to the water system by Thanksgiving; however, the intensive water testing is taking longer than anticipated.