Mt. San Jacinto College honors 1,356 graduates

Hope Graham of Temecula celebrates her graduation from Mt. San Jacinto College on May 26.

Photos and information courtesy of Mt. San Jacinto College

Mt. San Jacinto College recognized 1,356 graduates during its 2017 commencement ceremony at the Ramona Bowl in Hemet on May 26. School officials conferred 2,109 associate degrees and 137 career certficates; many students earned more than one degree or certificate.

Among the graduates was 30-year-old Sean Sinderholm (left) of Menifee, the first deaf person to graduate from MSJC’s new Interpreter Preparation Program. Sinderholm said he plans to earn his bachelor’s degree in deaf studies and credited his instructors.

"Leslie Greer and Jeremy Rogers of the American Sign Language Department both encouraged me to become a Certified Deaf Interpreter and obtain a master's degree in the future," Sinderholm said.

Raul Garcia said attending MSJC opened the doors to experiences he never imagined. Garcia, who attended the San Gorgonio Pass Campus, is the first in his family to graduate from college. Here was his response to the question posed in the graduation theme, "How will you change the world?"

"I will change the world by helping others when it’s needed and advising them to do better," said Garcia, 22.

Janet Plata of San Jacinto was another MSJC student who addressed the graduating class with words of passion and inspiration during this year’s commencement.

"I have constantly been told by my loving mother, ‘A escuela es lo mas importante para saler adelante a un buen futuro y luchar por todas nuestras metas,’ which means school is the most important thing in order to get ahead in life and build a good future and to fight for all our goals. An education can allow you to reach heights that some people just dream about," said Plata.

Hope Graham, 25, of Temecula said she plans to become a corporate lawyer and wants to be a good role model for her daughter. The honors student said she enjoyed attending MSJC.

"The school does not put a limit on its students and that is the greatest feature about being an MSJC student ... being limitless," Graham said.

Raul Garcia was one of 1,356 graduates of Mt. San Jacinto College May 26.