We have reached the highest number of graduates at one time thanks to all the hard work of our students, the staff who guided them and those in the community that believed in them. These adult learners took the tests needed to finally earn their diploma and they got to enjoy the spotlight as they waltzed across the stage in front of ecstatic friends and family in the audience. Congratulations to the 2019 Spring LearningQuest graduates! We are all so proud of you and cannot wait to hear about what you accomplish next.
114
LearningQuest students graduated between August 24, 2018 – May 2, 2019
62
Grads returned to walk the stage during the ceremony
300
Friends, family, staff, volunteers shared the moment
These organizations partnered with us to bring together another once-in-a-lifetime event for the graduates and helped us continue to provide free high quality education for our students:
Sutter Health
Valley Farm Supply Stores
Paleteria La Michoacana
Comcast
F&M Bank
Hilmar Cheese Company
Law Offices of Tom Hogan
Modesto Irrigation District
Oak Valley Community Bank
VBC Bottling Co.
See graduation photos HERE
Award Winners
Amy Romero
Awarded “Best Effort” for the extraordinary effort of overcoming challenges and committing to long-term educational goals.
Started with LearningQuest: Oct 2018
Became a graduate: Jan 2019
Favorite subject: Math
Words of wisdom: “Don’t give up, you’re worth it. Shoot for the stars.”
Erin Boonstra
Awarded “Most Improved” for extraordinary improvement in skills needed for a diploma as the result of hard work, perseverance, commitment, and focus.
Started with LearningQuest: Sep 2016
Became a graduate: May 2019
Destiny Brown
VALEDICTORIAN
Awarded “Greatest Achievement” for the overall extraordinary effort in pursuing education, achieving goals, and inspiring future graduates.
Started with LearningQuest: Jan 2019
Became a graduate: Feb 2019
Favorite subject: Social Studies
Words of wisdom: “Just keep trying! Even though it may be hard we are capable of things we never thought we could do.”
Graduate Speakers
Scotty Clark
Started with LearningQuest: Oct 2018
Became a graduate: Jan 2019
Speech excerpt: “I hadn’t been to school since the fifth grade. I quit going to school in the fifth grade and started doing construction. I heard the voice in the back of my mind and it said, ‘Ric you don’t think too good cause I couldn’t answer not one of those questions.’ So I just put it [book] aside and thought, ‘There’s no way I could do this.'”
Alvaro Martinez
Started with LearningQuest: Sep 2017
Became a graduate: Dec 2018
Favorite subject: Math
Words of wisdom: “Que sigan sus sueños por que ellos tubieron el sueño de tener su diploma asi que tienen que cumplirlo si se puede no importa el tiempo pero si se puede lograr gracias a todo el personal de LearningQuest.” [That they follow their dreams because they had the dream of having their diploma so they have to fulfill it if it can be done no matter the time but it can be achieved thanks to all the LearningQuest staff.]
Bethany Saint-Smith
Started with LearningQuest: Dec 2018
Became a graduate: Jan 2019
Favorite subject: Writing
Words of wisdom: “Choosing to do great with what you have is how you become the best version of yourself, if you take your skills, apply your learning, take time to comprehend and ask for help, you will succeed. If you want the good life, make it.”
VIP Guests
LQ Staff
