Oxnard College Graduates Recount Sacrifice, Goals

By anyone’s measure, Larry Ballard’s life has not been easy.

With three young children, the 30-year-old has bounced between jobs, struggled to make ends meet and survived an auto accident that injured him and his 9-year-old daughter.

But in all that time, he never lost the desire to go to school.

On Friday, Ballard achieved one of his many goals: He officially became an alumnus of Oxnard College.

“There were a lot of tough times, but I made it through to get here,” said Ballard, dressed in his blue satin robe and mortarboard. “It’s a blessing to have gotten this far.”

Of the several hundred graduates who celebrated their accomplishment at the college’s 25th commencement ceremony, many said they struggled, having to juggle school, work, children and other challenges to earn their degrees.

With the opportunity to say a few words before receiving their diplomas, most thanked family and friends for supporting them through the difficult times and pushing them to believe in themselves.

Ballard, who received his associate degree, said it was his children, ages 9 to 11, who got him thinking about college.

“It was all about them,” he said. “I had kids at a really early age and after awhile I just wanted to be able to give them more.”

Graduations are always affairs to celebrate, and the one at Oxnard College was no exception.

As “Pomp and Circumstance” blared over the sound system, proud mothers and fathers and husbands and wives clicked pictures, clapped, stomped their feet and beamed.

Although only a few hundred participated in Friday’s ceremony, about 2,000 received diplomas this spring.

College President Steven Arvizu congratulated the graduates and offered parting advice.

“With an education, we can seek a better life for ourselves and a consciousness to put that education to work for our families and our communities,” he said.

Pete Tafoya, who is retiring as vice president of the college district’s board of trustees, asked the graduates to seek out and take those opportunities that will improve their lives and fulfill their dreams.

“For me, it’s the spirit of carpe diem that guides me,” said Tafoya, who received an honorary degree from the college. “So to you I say, ‘Seize the day.’ ”

Lorraine Rodriguez, who hopes to transfer to a four-year university to complete her business degree, said she will take those words to heart.

Although she is immensely proud to have graduated and to be on her way to bigger and better things, it’s the example she set for her 5-year-old son that matters, Rodriguez said.

“He’s already got $300 saved up for college,” the 34-year-old graduate said. “He saw what I was doing and I think he knows how important it was, and that makes me happy because I want the best for him.”

Ballard’s father, Larry Sr., said it was hard for him to believe his son was a graduate. After watching his child receive his diploma, the elder Ballard hugged his son close.

“Every father wants to see their kids do well,” he said. “He made me very proud today, real proud.”

The younger Ballard said the hardest part of college wasn’t going to class, but pushing himself to do the very best he could.

He said he spent many late nights touching up term papers, rereading assignments and doing a little more than what was expected.

And the work paid off.

In the fall, he will be attending Pepperdine University, where he will study business.

“I don’t know where it will take me,” he said. “But wherever I end up, I’m sure it will be good.”