Big Bend Graduates 538

By Cheryl Schweizer of the Columbia Basin Herald

MOSES LAKE — Each of the 538 graduates in the Big Bend Community College class of 2018 made it to commencement from a slightly different direction.

There were single moms like Stephanie Philin, Moses Lake, who wanted a better job, both for herself and her son Bryan. She graduated with a medical assistant’s degree. The medical assistants are the support staff, working the reception desk, among other things, Philin said. And her degree might not be the end of her education – she’s thinking about going back to school for a degree in nursing, she said.

David Gonzalez, Warden, worked through the Trio program, which helps kids who are new – and whose families are new – to higher education. Gonzalez is the first in his family to earn an associate’s degree. The next step, he said, is Eastern Washington University, and eventually a degree in psychology.

Just like every other graduation, BBCC commencement 2018 featured families that had something to celebrate, and did, with family pictures and lots of balloons. “Congratulations, son. I’m proud of you,” said one dad as he hugged a graduate.

For more photos from commencement, visit the Big Bend Community College Facebook album HERE!