The Porterville Adult School celebrated the graduation of 110 students on March 5, 2026, during a ceremony held at the Porterville Church of the Nazarene. Graduates received their High School Diplomas, High School Equivalency certificates, and Career Technical Education (CTE) credentials, with many recognized for their achievements in Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy, and Pharmacy Technician programs.
Lariann Torres, the Director of Porterville Adult School, opened the ceremony by welcoming key figures, including Pastor Mark Pitcher from the Porterville Church of the Nazarene and Nate Nelson, the Superintendent of Porterville Unified School District. Torres expressed gratitude to PAS Assistant Director Denise Douglas and other faculty and staff members who supported the students throughout their educational journeys.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement as each speech was met with warm applause. Pastor Pitcher congratulated the graduates, stating, “You’ve given the gift of encouragement to your family and friends celebrating as you accomplished this goal in your life.” He encouraged the graduates to continue their celebration beyond the ceremony.
Edith Rush, a graduate of the 2025 Pharmacy Technician Program, was the first to speak. Inviting her instructor, Brandi Newby, to join her on stage, Rush expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support she received while rebuilding her life in California. “You helped me up when I couldn’t stand on my own,” she said, emphasizing the role her family, employers, and the Porterville Adult School faculty played in her success.
Rush’s speech highlighted not only personal triumph but also the strong bond between students and instructors. She humorously acknowledged a tradition of sneaking unicorn figures into Newby’s classroom, symbolizing her appreciation for a teacher who inspired transformation. “Thank you for helping me rewrite my story,” she concluded, receiving thunderous applause.
The second graduate speaker, Maria Jaquelina Ramirez Diaz, addressed the audience in Spanish, sharing her appreciation for the support she received from PAS teachers as she completed her Spanish HiSET degree.
The final speaker, Darrell Nunnelley, who completed the Nurse Assistant Program, reflected on the significance of their education. “Today is more than the end of the program. It is the beginning of a journey into a profession built on compassion, patience, and service,” Nunnelley stated. He acknowledged the challenges faced during the program and urged his fellow graduates to remember their purpose: to help others.
Following the speeches, the California Council for Adult Education presented scholarships to three deserving graduates. Valerie Craig, Candelaria Santoyo, and Pedro Uribe awarded scholarships to Angela Schuler, Ashley Sapien, and Sibel Lagos Ramirez, recognizing their hard work and dedication to completing their HiSET.
In a touching moment, the Tule River Tribe honored their graduates with ceremonial graduation blankets, underscoring the cultural significance of the occasion. Citlaly Brown from the Tule River Education Department highlighted the perseverance of three exceptional students: Anthony Calderon, Charlie Dabney III, and Elena Eugene. Each of these graduates balanced personal responsibilities while pursuing their educational goals, showcasing resilience and determination.
As the ceremony concluded, diplomas were presented, and graduates donned their CTE pins and stoles. Families and friends, numbering over 1,000, gathered outside the church to celebrate the achievements of their loved ones, marking a significant milestone in the lives of the graduates.
The Porterville Adult School graduation exemplified not only academic success but also the transformative power of education and community support. The stories shared during the ceremony served as a reminder of the strength and potential of each graduate as they embark on their next chapter.
