Natalie Gillard, Interim President and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Mesalands, addresses the audience at Friday’s commencement ceremony.
May 15, 2018
Mesalands Community College held their commencement ceremony last Friday, May 11, 2018 at the Tucumcari High School Auditorium. The 2018 graduating class represented 101 certificates and degrees and 13 high school equivalency diplomas. The graduating class also included 13 high school students, who graduated from college prior to obtaining their high school diplomas.
“It is indeed an evening of honor and celebration. We honor the graduates for the accomplishments they have achieved,” said Natalie Gillard, Interim President and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Mesalands Community College. “As a special note, today’s exercises are dedicated to, and in honor of Mr. J. Bronson Moore, Mesalands Community College Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Mr. Moore was deeply admired by the campus community and we are grateful for his service.”
Nasha Ynez Torrez, Dean of Students for the University of New Mexico, delivers the commencement address.
Moore served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 2002 to 2007, and as a Chair from 2007 to 2018. During commencement, a chair on the dais was draped with Moore’s regalia, medallion, and a white rose, in honor of his service.
Nasha Ynez Torrez, Dean of Students for the University of New
Mexico in Albuquerque, NM delivered the commencement address. Torrez encouraged the graduates to pay it forward, as they continue on their road to success.
“As we celebrate this rite of passage, it may be hard to believe that the most important part was the road that brought you here, not the diploma that you received today,” said Torrez. “Your journey doesn’t end today. I challenge you as the gate keepers, to recognize the times in each day, of which you could help another person on their path to success. Enjoy the trip and don’t travel alone. Congratulations class of 2018!”
During the recessional, graduates greet the administrators, guest speakers, and members of the Board of Trustees.
In honor of J. Bronson Moore, Chair of the Mesalands Board of Trustees, a chair on the dais was draped with Moore’s graduation regalia, medallion, and a rose. The following members of the Board of Trustees were in attendance: (left to right) James Streetman, Vice Chair; Liz Estrada, Secretary/Clerk; and Jimmy Sandoval, Member.
Mesalands Community College Graduating Class of 2018
High School Equivalency Diploma
| Halima Evans | Catherine Rivera |
| Emory Gates | Riley Severide |
| Amber Gutierrez | Amber Siebrasse |
| Jonna Gonzales | Morgan Southard |
| Casper Hank | Terrell Davis |
| Karston Manley | Kyle Trujillo |
| Jennifer Marquez |
Occupational Certificate
| Esteban Aguirre | Christopher Hoover |
| Juan Aguirre | Christian Ivarbol |
| Aaron P. Barnes | Heather Karr |
| Bethany Bishop | Dane LaCount |
| Lindsay Blackmer | Kyle Lopez |
| Brittni Brockman | Jeri Anne Mares |
| Morgan Brown | Amanda McAulay |
| Jose Campos | Steven J. McClure‡ |
| JW Carmichael | Alejandro Mendoza |
| Antonio Carreon | Roberto Mendoza |
| Dylan Carrillo | Trace Norton |
| Victoriana Chavarria | Jessa Jade Paddock |
| Daniel Chavez | Connie B. Payne |
| Genae Cone | Constance Payne |
| Brian Cox | Carlos Castillo Peña |
| Romy Diaz | Moises Reyes |
| Chase Dudley | Emmanuel Rodriguez |
| Nidia Elebario | Julianna Sanchez |
| Shauna Fuller | Alyssa Sena |
| Dylan Germaine | Sheena Taylor |
| Nassir Hadjour | Perla Villegas+ |
| Jennie Lyn Hall | Daniel E. Woiski |
| Cristal Hernandez | Kathryn Worthen |
| Joseph Hibbard |
Applied Science Certificate
| Roberto Mendoza | Brandon Smith+ |
| Caleb Pope |
Liberal Arts Certificate
| Cristal Madrid | Leslee A. Nunez |
Associate of Arts Degree
| Heather Colleen Aragon | Daniel Holguin-Caldera***+ |
| Angelina Marie Arellano** | Sonnett Jackson |
| Ashle Brown | Elicia Jimenez* |
| Desiree Nicole Brown* | Kamelia Morgan Lamm*** |
| Steven Carmona | Heaven Lopez |
| Kyeli Lanie Collins***+ | Chantyl Lujan** |
| Seth J. Gale* | David A. Mardo III** |
| Sydney Goldston*** | Eva M. Sawyer* |
| Josue Grajeda | Kaylee Swapp** |
| Barbara J. Griego | Allyssa Mishay Zukevich* |
| Willis Jack Hendrickson III |
Associate Applied Science Degree
| Nathaniel Q. Alexander | Steven J. McClure‡ |
| Scott Bevins* | Lowen Munsell** |
| Deonte L. Blalock | Leslee A. Nunez |
| Kevin Blea | Laverne Sanderson*** |
| Destiny A. Bolin* | Sidney Sena |
| Aleahna R. Branch | Kenneth Sims |
| A’Lia Oaklie Derrick | Samantha Jae Stephenson* |
| David D. Dodd** | Arthur Tixier |
| Dennis Earle | Noah A. Torres** |
| Pete J. Estrada* | Maribel Villa* |
| Marshall Graham** | Steven Witterman* |
| Linda Gutierrez |
***Summa Cum Laude (GPA 3.80 or higher)
**Magna Cum Laude (GPA 3.50 – 3.79)
*Cum Laude (GPA 3.25 – 3.49)
+Member Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
‡Veteran or Active Military
- New Mexico All-Academic Team
