News and Events

logonews release

For Immediate Release Contact:  Frances Squire
May 23, 2008 Phone: (559) 934-2134
Brenda Wright with her Chihuahua, Rott, at the WHCL graduation
Brenda “Sunshine” Wright and her Chihuahua Rott

West Hills College Lemoore graduation—an evening to remember

 

There were 438 students eligible to walk in graduation ceremonies at West Hills College Lemoore last night (Thursday, May 22) but one student, and her dog, stole the show.

           

Brenda Dodd Wright, who at 62 was one of the college’s two oldest graduates, and her Chihuahua, Rott, crossed the stage together—both in caps and gowns.  Brenda plans to transfer to Fresno State.  Rott may have to stay home.

           

Brenda, whose nickname is Sunshine, received the President’s Award, the top student honor for service to the college, at an honors brunch earlier in May.

           

Another crowd pleaser was a fly-over by two jets from nearby Naval Air Station Lemoore.

           

Graduate Jose Manalo flew in from the Philippines for the ceremony.

           

Gabriel Briones graduated from WHCL before he graduated from high school, which he will do next month.  He was also one of the graduation speakers.

           

Rose Denberg, the mother of 11 children, was the other student speaker.  She turned 54 last Sunday and is well on her way to earning a bachelor’s degree from Fresno Pacific.  She spent 20 years as a missionary before she settled in the San Joaquin Valley about 10 years ago.

           

WHCL President Don Warkentin told a crowd of about 2,000 that 132 of the graduates live in Lemoore and 122 live in Hanford.  One graduate lives in Florida and another in Oregon.  Graduates came from many other communities including Riverdale, Avenal, Armona, Corcoran, Laton, Fresno, Visalia, Tulare and Caruthers.

           

Danielle Ross is the first blind student to graduate from the college with an associate degree.  She was met after the ceremony by a stretch limousine.

           

Leo Orange didn’t need to buy a new cap and gown for the ceremony.  He has earned three certificates and an associate degree and he walked in his fourth WHCL graduation ceremony.  The college has only had four graduations and Leo plans to be back next year when he completes classes for another associate degree.

           

Warkentin also noted:

  • West Hills Community College District has spent the year celebrating its 75th anniversary.
  • WHCL has its own RN program starting in August. (Previous programs have been offered in partnership with Fresno City and Bakersfield College.)
  • Two WHCL wrestlers, Bret Land and Matt Garcia, placed fourth at the state championships and were named junior college all-Americans.
  • Golfer Steve Tarkon qualified for the state championship and the men’s golf team and women’s soccer team qualified for the Northern California playoffs.
  • 70 percent of graduates are women and 106 are active duty military, dependents or veterans.

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West Hills Community College District serves the west side of the San Joaquin Valley and is part of the California Community College System.  Its two colleges, West Hills College Coalinga, which includes North District Center, Firebaugh, and West Hills College Lemoore, serve more than 6,500 students on campus and online each semester.