Enthusiastic Santa Barbara City College graduates made their way to the campus’ La Playa Stadium during Friday’s commencement ceremony. 

A few drops of rain couldn’t dampen the excitement as relatives, friends and others filled the outdoor stadium for the graduation. Umbrellas didn't remain in place for long as the clouds parted and rays of sun broke through the sky when the graduating students began their procession.

Many students marched across the field donning brightly colored leis and decorated mortarboards.

The cheering supporters who sat behind the students in the stands held colorful balloons and waved signs proclaiming admiration for the graduates.

SBCC has nearly 4,000 degrees and certificates pending or awarded to more than 1,570 students in the 2018-19 academic year, according to SBCC spokeswoman Luz Reyes-Martin. More than 600 students were expected to participate in Friday’s commencement ceremony.

Interim Superintendent/President Helen Benjamin told the crowd that she is proud of the graduates' many accomplishments and congratulated them on achieving their educational goals. She said she has seen student success outcomes and encouraged them to “never ever stop learning.”

Benjamin began her new role about six weeks after Superintendent/President Anthony Beebe announced his retirement for health-related issues in February. 

“As most of you know, today is my 30th day as interim superintendent/president at Santa Barbara City College,” Benjamin said in opening remarks. “It is an honor and privilege to be serving here.

“Although I have only been here for 30 days, I feel as though I have been here the entire year. As the students know, this is an entirely and completely welcoming place designed for students to complete their educational goals, and that is what I have seen.”

As a public community college dedicated to the success of all students, SBCC aims to provide students with a diverse learning environment that inspires discovery and curiosity while promoting global responsibility and fostering opportunity, Benjamin said.

Leslie Marin, this year’s student commencement speaker, is an undocumented student who has a passion for helping others and a dream of inspiring students to pursue endless opportunities. Marin was met with thunderous applause as she took the stage. 

The 20-year-old sociology major is the first in her family to attend college and will be transferring to UC Santa Barbara with a 3.7 GPA and a full scholarship. 

In 2016, Marin saw her friends at Santa Barbara High School receiving college acceptance letters and she felt discouraged, but after learning about the SBCC Promise and other resources at SBCC, she used them to her advantage.

The SBCC Promise, launched in fall 2016, offers all local high school graduates the opportunity to attend SBCC full time free of charge, for up to two years. 

Marin was an active student during her time at SBCC. She worked as a peer mentor for the college's Extended Opportunity Programs and Services and the Transitions Program. Marin also worked for SBCC's Office of Equity, Diversity and Cultural Competency and was an ambassador for the SBCC Promise program.

“For me today, this is much more than graduation,” she told the crowd. “Today is a victory because both of my parents were never able to finish school because of their financial difficulties. Today, I am proud to say, that they are living their dreams through me, and I will be the first in my family graduating college.”

The event also included a Chumash blessing and music from the SBCC brass ensemble.

— Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be reached at bholland@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.

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