Celebrating Success

We gathered to celebrate 31 graduates of the LearningQuest High School Equivalency (HSE) program at the Fall Graduation & Awards Night on October 28, 2021. Over 150 guests attended the ceremony to honor the achievements of grads at the Martin G. Peterson Event Center in Downtown Modesto. Awards were given to three students recognized for their dedication to earning their diploma and to an outstanding tutor in the Adult Literacy tutoring program.

Rosario Banuelos was awarded for ‘The Most Improved”

for extraordinary improvement in skills needed for a diploma as the result of hard work, perseverance, commitment, and focus.

Shawn Elliott was awarded for “Greatest Achievement”

for the overall extraordinary effort in pursuing education, achieving goals, and inspiring future graduates.

Onorina Gonzalez was awarded for ‘Best Effort”

for extraordinary improvement in skills needed for a diploma as the result of hard work, perseverance, commitment, and focus.

John Arnold was awarded for “Tutor of Excellence”

for extraordinary acts of kindness, patience, compassion, and selflessness while helping others pursue and achieve educational goals.

Our Valedictorian and Student speaker, Jimmie Pridmore, shared his touching story of overcoming struggles and finding motivation even in the darkest moments.

“We all come from different backgrounds and have all had different experiences…But I finally have the chance to say ‘I did it!’ and you all did it too! So you should all be proud of yourselves.”

Jimmie Pidmore

Graduation Pictures

Graduation Video

Congratulations to the 2021 Fall Graduates:

Jaklin Amirikhosrowabadi

Richard Baldwin

Rosario Bañuelos +

Elisa Barba

Dustin A. Barnes *

Juana Cabrera

Denim Collins

Alejandra Vanessa Cruz Nuño

Shawn Elliott +

Nicolas Garibay II

Onorina Gonzalez +

Maria Fernanda Hernandez *

Dakota Lawson

Dulce Nayeli Lopez Aguilera

Corrine M. Loya

Erika Maldonado Corona *

David Manley *

Alliyah Melena

Elizabeth Mendoza

Christopher Morales

Amelia Muñoz Largaespalda

Benjamin Nuñez

Maria Teresa Nuño

Rosalba Ochoa *

Alejandro Ontiveros *

Maria del Carmen Oregon Gonzalez *

Angel Oregon-Gonzalez

Ruth Orozco Mora

Maria de los Angeles Peña Garcia

Jimmie D. Pridmore *~

Karina Juana Reategui

Mariah Sanchez

Lizeth Sosa-Gonzalez

Sharifa Suwaid

Kimokeo M. Swayne *

Leah Tacardon

Vanesa Tovar Carranza

Eliud Enrique Vega Garcia *

Orlanda Yaneth Vigil Becerra

Luz Del Carmen Vilchis

* Honors

~ Valedictorian

+ Award Winner

LearningQuest would like to thank all the dignitaries that participated in this special event, including Jenny Kenoyer from The Modesto City Council, Jacob Faulder from The Office of Senator Andreas Borgeas, Melissa Santos from The Office of Congressman Josh Harder, and Assistant Sheriff LaBarbera from The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.

To the Graduates, LearningQuest wishes you all the best for your future, and can’t wait to see all you become!