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GCC graduates prepare for their next chapter

Glendale Community College faculty applauds graduates as they walk past during Glendale Community College's graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 8, 2016.

Glendale Community College faculty applauds graduates as they walk past during Glendale Community College’s graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 8, 2016.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Of the hundreds of graduates who accepted associate degrees and completion certificates Wednesday evening at Glendale Community College, the youngest graduate was 19 while the oldest was 74, said David Viar, superintendent/president of the college.

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“We always want to emphasize we’re here for everyone,” Viar told the hundreds of family members and friends who sat in the bleachers on Sartoris Field to watch their loved ones accept degrees.

Among the graduates were friends Talen Madatoyan and Elen Siradegyan, both mothers of young children who enrolled at Glendale Community College and juggled family responsibilities with school.

While Madatoyan focused her studies on social work, Siradegyan studied accounting.

“It’s exciting,” Siradegyan said before the ceremony began. “It’s hard, but we did it.”

Both women plan to continue their studies at a four-year school.

“We’ll do our best,” Siradegyan said.

Fellow graduate Aaron Vartany accepted his degree after completing his studies in sociology. He initially enrolled in the college to become an emergency medical technician, but decided he didn’t want to pursue that field.

After taking a semester off, he returned with a new plan to work in law enforcement.

During his time at the college, he worked closely with counselors and professors, he said.

“I had a great time here. The professors, if you follow up with them, you develop this friendship. They really push you forward instead of just giving you a grade and telling you what to do,” he said.

The ceremony marked the 87th commencement since Glendale Community College was established in 1926, Viar said.

Students earned associate degrees or certificates for completing programs to put them on the path to becoming machinists, flight attendants, computer programmers or animators, among other professions.

When Christine Ovasapyan, president of the student body, took the microphone, she thanked students’ family members for supporting them in their path to graduate.

Then she cheered on her fellow classmates.

“You have worked tirelessly and truly deserve to be honored,” she said.

Academic Senate President Andy Young, on behalf of the college’s faculty, expressed one last wish for the class of 2016.

“It is our sincerest hope that we prepared you for whatever your next step may be,” he said.

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Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com

Twitter: @kellymcorrigan

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