Storytelling has been used for millennia to share ideas, entertain
and inspire. Attendees of the Rio Salado College 2014
Commencement on May 6 at Comerica
Theatre experienced the awesome power of
storytelling, especially from student speaker Kaisi Balmer,
who captivated the audience with her personal story.
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| 2014 Student Speaker Kaisi Balmer |
Balmer
gives new meaning to courage. She came to Rio Salado four years ago on the
recommendation of a friend. At the time, she was homeless, unemployed, addicted
to drugs and disconnected from family and friends. Through faith, determination
and the help of others, including a Rio Salado academic advisor, she mapped out
a plan to pursue her true dream of becoming a doctor.
Balmer
received her Associate in Arts diploma during the ceremony and plans to
continue her studies this fall at Arizona State University to earn a degree in
global health, and ultimately become a missionary family practitioner.
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| Virginia Lee Contreras |
Also
among the graduates in the audience was Virginia Lee Contreras.
At age 62, Contreras has had a lifetime of experience in the field of early childhood
education and currently works for the Maricopa County Head Start program.
She began her college education 44 years ago but said, “life
got in the way.” When she received her
Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and Human Development, it was a
lifelong goal finally realized.
“This is what I always dreamed of,” Contreras said. “I
strived for this so that my own children would continue their education, and instill
this into their children.”
She
plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree and continue serving as a role model for
her son who is also a returning student.
Joining
Contreras were 12 dual enrollment students from the Tempe Union High School
District’s Corona del Sol, Desert Vista and Mountain Pointe high schools and Xavier
College Preparatory.
More
than 6,700 students have earned high school and college credit simultaneously
at 41 partnering high schools in this last year. These graduates, however, have
gone the extra, extra mile to supplement their dual enrollment courses with
online courses at Rio Salado to earn an Associate Degree-- before completing
high school.
Included
in the dual enrollment cohort was Briana
Corinne Bustamante. Her father is Dr. Chris Bustamante, President of Rio Salado
College. It is likely Commencement 2014
will be included in the Bustamante family stories for years to come.
Dr.
Bustamante knows about the power of storytelling all too well, especially when
it comes to inspiring people and creating positive change, which is why he called
on students to take part in this age-old tradition.
There are many people in our community who have yet to accomplish what you have achieved tonight and we don’t want to leave anyone behind. It’s up to you to encourage someone in your family, or circle of friends, to pursue an education.Make it your personal mission to help them plan for the future. Tell them your story! Share your success, your knowledge, and your experience with those who are seeking to reshape their lives. You are the best role models. You can set an example; be a mentor and make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Commencement Snapshots*
73 Academic
Certificates (48 in 2013)
735 Associate Degrees (599 in 2013)
735 Associate Degrees (599 in 2013)
4,339 Certificates of Completion (3,392 in 2013)
Recognitions of Academic Achievement
16 Recognitions
of Academic Achievement (Bachelor’s Degree Pathways)
65 Post-Baccalaureate
Teacher Prep Recognitions of Academic Achievement
629 Associate Degree Graduates Academic Honors:
54 Highest
Distinction
102 Honors
134 High
Distinction
147 Phi
Theta Kappa
192 Distinction
*Count
at time of publication.