This year’s commencement ceremony will take place at the Ko‘olau Ballrooms and Conference Center on Friday, May 13 at 5:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to carpool as parking is limited.
The ceremony will feature two speakers who have found a home of solace and support at WCC. Graduates Lauren Danner and Donita Garcia will share their journeys and represent the class of 2016.
Born and raised in Kailua, Danner started her journey at WCC in 2006 while in high school.
“This journey at WCC has sure been a long ride, and I’m lucky to have met so many wonderful people along the way to achieve this education goal,” she said. “WCC has a way of never wanting you to leave because it’s such a blessing to be given this opportunity to have such amazing staff, teachers and people who surround WCC with so much strong willingness to help you in your academic goals.”
The wife and mother of four will attend UH Mānoa next semester to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business.
Danner said she’s grateful to everyone who has helped her achieve her goals. “I will miss WCC, but lucky that I’ll still be able visit and use its resources.”
Also speaking at commencement will be Donita Garcia who attended WCC from 2012 to 2015. While at WCC, she was a senator and vice president in the ASUH-WCC student government. As a representative of ASUH, she attended numerous system and statewide student government caucuses.
Garcia was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa in 2013 and held the office of president for four terms in the prestigious honor society. She also sat on several campus committees such as the planning and budget committee, safety committee and the aesthetics committee. She has participated in the Windward Debate Club and was its vice president for three years.
Garcia is currently pursuing her degree in justice administration at UH West O’ahu. She plans on attaining a free ride scholarship to Harvard Law School.
by Ka ‘Ohana, News Staff
