From recent high school graduates blazing through Running Start to dedicated veterans embarking on new chapters, the 鶹Ƶ graduating class of 2025 showcased a remarkable tapestry of paths and achievements. Among the 883 students who received their diplomas, 297 simultaneously earned their high school degrees, while fourteen served our nation.
Here's a look at some of our new graduates who will be making a difference in the Yakima Valley and beyond in the years to come.
Lacie Case
After earning her Associate of Applied Science in Substance Use Disorder, Case plans to enter the workforce while holding on to the possibility of continuing her education and earning a bachelor's degree.
“I plan to use what I have learned in college to help the adolescents in our community gain skills and knowledge about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle without the use of mind-altering substances,” said Case.
Case credits the support of caring YVC faculty with helping her reach her goals.
“My journey at YVC has shown me that I can continue to grow,” said Case. “The thought ‘I can't do this because I didn't graduate high school’ kept me from beginning my career sooner. My instructor Daniele Fleming was wonderful and believed in me, which helped me to believe in myself.”
Now Case is looking forward to the future and giving back to the Yakima Valley community.
“I have big plans for my future; my goal is to open a facility for adolescents in Yakima for drug/alcohol treatment services,” said Case.
Jaspinder Kaur, Student Speaker
Kaur was born in Italy before moving to England and later the United States for better educational opportunities — ultimately choosing 鶹Ƶ.
“This transition helped me develop critical thinking skills and exposed me to diverse cultures,” said Kaur. “YVC has given me more than I expected. It has boosted my confidence and inspired me to pursue success.”
Kaur was active in YVC’s STEM Club, where she served as the secretary and helped organize club events and helped other STEM students discover their passions.
“Joining the STEM Club gave me valuable resources, such as advice on how to study for the MCAT, and the opportunity to hear from students who faced similar challenges and how they overcame them,” said Kaur.
She also volunteers with the Sikh Community of Yakima, contributing to initiatives that support local communities and foster a sense of brotherhood amongst diverse groups. The experience has taught her compassion, resilience and determination, which has positively influenced her studies and motivated her to give back to the community.
“I’ve faced significant challenges during these past two years, but despite the obstacles, I have learned valuable lessons that shaped who I am today,” said Kaur. “Last year, during finals week, I lost my grandmother. My grandmother always believed in me and had bigger dreams for me than I had for myself. Her loss, along with her words, continues to inspire me to show compassion, work hard and dream big.”
Kaur will transfer to Central Washington University this fall, with plans to attend medical school and become a physician.
TOP: Graduates process into Yakima Valley SunDome during the start of YVC's 96th Annual Commencement Ceremony held June 13. ABOVE: Graduates smile during the celebration.
Vanessa Macias
Macias who earned her associate in arts degree is now on track to become a social worker and give back to the Yakima Valley community.
“YVC has been an important steppingstone in my journey,” said Macias. “As a first-generation college student, the support I received gave me the confidence to keep going and dream bigger. It helped me discover my passion for helping others and gave me the foundation I need to move forward.”
Macias credits YVC with helping her gain valuable communication, leadership and critical thinking skills — tools she’ll use in the fall when she transfers to Washington State University.
“I plan to apply the skills and knowledge I gained to better understand the unique challenges individuals face and provide compassion,” said Macias.
“I am excited to be able to help people in my community who may have experienced the same hardships I once had and be that person to help them overcome challenges. Giving them the tools to succeed is something I’m deeply committed to.”
Joseph Ornelas
For Ornelas, graduating from 鶹Ƶ isn’t just a celebration — it’s the culmination of years of grit, growth and gear-turning determination.
After earning his associate in arts degree, Ornelas is headed to Washington State University this fall to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. His long-term goal is to help design the future at a company like Boeing or PACCAR.
“YVC let me move at my own pace,” he said. “Even when I could only take one or two classes at a time while working full-time, I was still making progress.”
That steady momentum carried him through some of his favorite courses — physics and engineering — which not only prepared him academically but also sparked his creativity. In his spare time, Ornelas has been restoring a 1981 Buick Regal, using his Computer Aided Design (CAD) skills to 3D print hard-to-find parts.
But for Ornelas, the impact of YVC extended far beyond the textbook and tools.
“Being on campus and building relationships with professors and classmates was priceless,” he said. “YVC had a huge impact on my life.”
2024-2025 Grandview Student Council officers, from left: Vice President Alexis Torres-Puga, Lead Student Ambassador Jesus Badillo and President Damian Saenz-Garcia.
Fernando Serrano
Serrano, who completed his associate of applied science transfer degree has dreams of becoming a full-time musician working in studio recording for movies, shows and songs.
His time at 鶹Ƶ helped him realize that he could work towards his goals locally, without moving out of the area for college.
“YVC showed me that even if my goals weren’t entirely achievable right after high school, that I could still get amazing education and a welcoming culture of a college right in my hometown,” said Serrano.
He will carry the skills he gained into his personal life, viewing them as evidence that, no matter what challenges lie ahead, opportunities to pursue greatness will always be within reach.
“I genuinely enjoyed my experience at YVC for the reason that there are so many professors here that want the best for their students and do their best to set them up for success,” said Serrano.
In the fall he’s headed to San Franciso’s Conservatory of Music to study music performance and education. He hopes to become a travelling musician while also giving back by working with students and teaching private lessons.
“I’m personally excited to move to a new state and city in San Francisco, which is a huge step for me. I will hopefully be playing gigs around the Bay Area during the fall,” said Serrano. “I am also excited to work alongside professional musicians and getting to learn their experiences.”
Karina Taylor
For Taylor, earning her associate in arts is more than a milestone — it’s a turning point.
“I came here during a really difficult time, feeling unsure of myself and my future,” Taylor said. “The people here — staff, instructors and classmates — believed in me before I fully believed in myself.”
This fall, Taylor will transfer to Central Washington University to study public health, with aspirations of working in healthcare leadership. Her goal: to improve access to services for LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent communities.
“I want to be part of creating systems that actually work for the people who are often left out or overlooked,” she said.
Taylor is one of many graduates who found more than academic success at YVC — they found their voice.
“I’ve learned how to balance big-picture thinking with practical problem-solving,” Taylor said. “And I want to use that to make a real difference.”
Outside the classroom, she’s already making an impact. Taylor is building a digital resource hub for neurodivergent students and continues to share her story through essays and poetry. She has also worked for the last two quarters in YVC’s Community Relations office helping to promote campus events and programs.
“I hope it helps others feel less alone in their own journeys,” she said. “This community helped me find my voice. And now I’m ready to use it.”
A bachelor's graduate accepts her degree from YVC Board Member David Morales.
Matthew Young
With his degree in hand and a clear vision for the future, Young is ready to step into the world of veterinary medicine — and beyond.
With an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology from 鶹Ƶ, Matthew is stepping into his dream career with a job offer in hand as a technician at Vista Veterinary Hospital in the Tri-Cities. But for him, this is just the beginning.
“I want to pursue specialized training in ultrasound and echocardiograms,” he said. “There’s so much more I want to learn — and now I have the foundation to build on.”
That foundation was laid in YVC’s hands-on, in-person Veterinary Technology program, which Young describes as a “lifesaver.”
“Working with live animals and having one-on-one time to practice skills made all the difference,” he said. “It wasn’t just about learning — it was about doing. That hands-on experience set me up for success.”
The program also helped him prepare for the Veterinary Technician National Exam, a critical step for anyone entering the field.
“The testing prep was incredibly helpful,” he added. “It gave me the confidence I needed.”
But Young’s passion extends beyond the clinic. Before returning to school, he was active in community outreach, particularly with PFLAG, where he helped raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention in LGBTQ+ communities.
“Once I get my free time back, I want to get involved again,” he said. “That kind of work is close to my heart.”
A graduate celebrates her accomplishment after crossing the stage during YVC's 96th Commencement Ceremony.
Jhace Andre Zamora Dela Cruz
When Zamora Dela Cruz first arrived in the U.S. from the Philippines in 2017, he never imagined his future would be in cybersecurity. But after earning his Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology from 鶹Ƶ in winter 2025, Zamora Dela Cruz is now confidently charting a course toward a career in high demand.
“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do after high school,” Zamora Dela Cruz said. “But my brother pointed out that I was always working with computers. That’s when I started looking into IT.”
That nudge led him to YVC, where he found clarity — and a calling. Through hands-on coursework and guidance from instructors, Zamora Dela Cruz discovered the difference between computer science and information technology.
“IT was more hands-on, more about maintaining systems and solving real-world problems,” he said. “That’s what really clicked for me.”
Now enrolled in YVC’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology – Systems Administration (BASIT) program, Zamora Dela Cruz is ready to expand his coursework in the fall. His long-term goal? A career in cybersecurity, ideally in healthcare or education — fields where reliable technology is critical.
“YVC gave me direction,” he said. “It gave me practical skills in class and outside of it. The instructors were incredibly supportive and helped me figure out what I’m passionate about.”
That passion was put to the test during a December 2024 internship at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, where Zamora Dela Cruz worked on the helpdesk team. Balancing a full-time class load, he gained firsthand experience supporting faculty and staff with their technology needs.
“It gave me a real look at the challenges and responsibilities of IT in a healthcare setting,” he said. “It also helped me build connections and see how technology supports doctors and instructors every day.”
A graduate with a festive cap gives a peace sign following YVC's annual commencement ceremony.
Story by Stefanie Menard, AA-DTA ’05, communications consultant. Photos by Menard; Dustin Wunderlich, director of community relations; and Matt Barton, graphic designer/multimedia content producer.