SANTA MARIA - Smiles, hugs, cheers and tears were part of the scene on the Commons Lawn at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria for graduation day.
Hundreds of proud family members and friends joined their happy grads for the colorful ceremony on a windswept, blustery day on campus.
It was the 91rst annual Commencement ceremony at AHC where the slogan is, "Start Here, Go Anywhere."
716 students earned 931 Associate Arts or Associate Science degrees as well as other certificates.
Of the 716 grads, 149 graduated with honors maintaining a Grade Point Average of 3.5 or above, ten of the students maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA and graduated with high honors.
Many of these grads will continue their education at the university level.
Others will enter the workforce with some apprehension and nervousness knowing landing that first job will not be easy in this challenging economy.
"Its always hard because a lot of people are graduating right now", says AHC grad Paola Medina who plans to become a dental hygienist, "so they are all looking for jobs so, I'm a little bit nervous."
"Uh, a little", adds AHC grad German Morales who plans to transfer to UC Davis, "you know work hard, try to get a job as soon as I can to pay back the loans."
It was the final commencement ceremony for Allan Hancock College president Dr. Jose Ortiz who is leaving to take the chancellor's position of a community college system in the Bay Area.
The average age of the AHC graduating class of 2012 is 27, with 18 the youngest student and 63 the oldest.
