BALDWIN PARK – More than 1,200 family members and friends cheered as 200 Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education (BPACE) students received career technical education certificates, diplomas and high school equivalency certificates at the Vocational and Academic Programs Graduation Ceremony on May 18.

The event, held at Baldwin Park High School’s Ted K. Gorrell Stadium, featured a rainbow of robes reflecting the many programs available through BPACE: purple for high school diplomas, white for high school equivalency and yellow for career tech training in automotive services, barbering, cosmetology, electrician, food service and hospitality, medical assistant, pharmacy technician as well as heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC).

In all, 284 students graduated from BPACE programs this year, with 200 attending the ceremony. Twenty-five students earned high school diplomas; 38 earned high school equivalency certificates and 221 earned career technical education certifications.

During the ceremony, the National Anthem was sung by the Baldwin Park High School Choir. BPACE Senior Director Dr. John D. Kerr presented the class and recognized academic honor and CTE honor students. Baldwin Park Board of Education President Christina Lucero accepted the class.

Valedictorian for the class was Valeria Figueroa; salutatorian was Noemi Esquivez.

PHOTOS

BPACE_COMMENCE_1: Students in Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education’s high school equivalency program – clad in white – celebrate their graduation on May 18 at Baldwin Park High School.

BPACE_COMMENCE_2: Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education Class of 2017 valedictorian Valeria Figueroa speaks to her class at commencement on May 18 at Baldwin Park High School. Figueroa’s purple robe indicates she is in the high school diploma program.