Pikes Peak State College commencement: Some moms have more to celebrate this Mother’s Day weekend
Athziri Mendoza became a first-generation college graduate at the Pikes Peak State College commencement Saturday, where she was cheered on by family and friends including her mom and her 7-year-old daughter.
“I did it all for my daughter and my mom,” she said outside The Broadmoor World Arena Saturday. “It’s surreal, because it took forever. It’s supposed to be a two-year degree and it took me five.”
As a mom and coordinator for Johnson & Johnson, Mendoza took just a couple classes at a time, but now she has an associate’s degree in business administration and will continue her higher education at a four-year university.
“It’s a big deal for us,” she said.
Mendoza was among about 600 graduates ages 16 to 73 who crossed the stage Saturday as the first class of Pikes Peak State College since the institution rebranded last fall, according to college President Lance Bolton.
“I want to recognize you, our graduates — living tributes to the power of determination and heroism. You know the hardships and challenges you faced to get here today, and I want you to take a moment to take all that in, because you made it,” Bolton said.
Followed by Mother’s Day Sunday, the commencement ceremony held special weight, especially for those conferred who have children of their own.
Graduate Nawal Saharil recalled bringing her newborn daughter to class two days after giving birth around a year and a half ago while pursuing the multimedia graphic design degree she received Saturday.
Saharil, who is originally from Malaysia, also has a 14-year-old daughter; she said balancing motherhood and coursework required commitment — and some adaptability. “You can have the best plan ever, but the thing is there’s always things that happen along the way and you have to adjust and be flexible,” she said.
Now, Saharil is pursuing additional certification after Saturday’s commencement with the goal to open her own creative and marketing agency in Colorado Springs. “Once you want to do it you just have to make it happen,” she said.
For some moms, the weekend is bittersweet.
Andrea Geist was inspired to go back to school after the death of her son, and now she’s headed to law school in January after completing a business degree at PPSC. “It’s huge for me to have this all happen at once,” she said.
Geist’s other son, Carter, was among his mom’s supporters Saturday. “I’m happy for her and I’m excited. I’m glad she got to graduate.”
But the degree didn’t come without its challenges for the full-time worker and full-time mom. “It was very difficult. There were lots of long nights and weekends.”
“I’m proud of myself,” she said. “I did it for him (Carter), to motivate him so he knows that anything’s possible.”
Nawal Saharil with her two daughters, ages 14 and 1 1/2, after graduating Saturday with a degree in multimedia graphic design from Pikes Peak State College.
A graduate excitedly hugs a professor as she leaves the state during the Pikes Peak State College graduation ceremony at The Broadmoor World Arena on Saturday.
First-generation college graduate Athziri Mendoza with her mom, 7-year-old daughter and boyfriend after graduating Saturday with a degree in business administration from Pikes Peak State College.
Andrea Geist with family, including son Carter, outside The Broadmoor World Arena on Saturday, where she received a business degree from Pikes Peak State College.
A Pikes Peak State College graduate holds up the Mexican flag as she crosses the stage to receive her diploma at The Broadmoor World Arena on Saturday. Hundreds of students and their loved ones attended the ceremony, the first for the college since its name changed from Pikes Peak Community College to Pikes Peak State College.
Randy Vigil shares a celebratory hug with his kids after graduating from Pikes Peak State College at The Broadmoor World Arena on Saturday.