Culver Pride is exemplified in classrooms, on the field, in neighborhoods, and this spring as commencement season rolls around, Culver Pride is undeniable at graduations.
On Tuesday, West Los Angeles College graduated a class full of Culver City High alumni who embody the essence of excellence in the Culver City community.
This year at West, more than 1,100 students earned a certificate or associate degree.
At the 49th commencement attended by 500 students, more than half of the students have been accepted into at least one university.
Lilli Keeve, Christina Gibson, and Jesús Reyes are all products of Culver City schools. They will be transferring to four-year universities in the fall, having completed general education requirements at West.
Ms. Keeve, an avid writer and film enthusiast, graduated from Culver City High in 2014. She recalls that after graduation, she wasn’t really sure what she wanted to do after that.
“I wasn’t ready to go to a regular university,” she said. “Right out of high school in the summer of 2014, I felt scared and nervous for what would come next.”
Ms. Keeve decided to enroll at West. With the academic support of her counselors and student groups on campus, she was able to excel academically. She worked as an English tutor in the library, pushing her closer to her goal of being a writer and filmmaker.
“It was a very informative and altering experience,” she said.
In the fall, Ms. Keeve will be off to Portland State University to study English. “I’m happy to be transitioning into the next phase of my journey but I couldn’t have done it without the kind and generous nature of the West L.A. staff and faculty,” she said.
At Culver City High, Christina Gibson was a standout on the court and in the shotput ring. But in the classroom “I was good, just good,” she said. “Not great or an overachiever. However, by not being an overachiever in my class the same way I was in my sport, it made certain decisions (university choices) become extremely limited.”
Similar to Ms. Keeve, Ms. Gibson thought it was best to take time and sort out any issues or doubts close to home at West where she continued to play basketball and flourished academically.
“Coming to West allowed me to grow and mature into a better student and athlete,” said Ms. Gibson. “It’s better to figure yourself out than to go straight into a four year college/university with no plan. It’s a way better decision for your future and finances.”
Jesus Reyes’s story looks a lot different from the traditional student. Mr. Reyes’s first language was not English, He was managing a learning disability and he is in his fifties.
Mr. Reyes started his pursuit of a degree at the Culver City Adult School. He then enrolled at West where he experienced great academic and personal growth. In his final year, he served as Associated Student Organization president. In the fall, Mr. Reyes will make UCLA home in hopes of going into a field that has provided him with life changing opportunities—education.
Not graduating this year, but also a part of West’s year end festivities was Culver City High alumnus Kyndahl Carter who was honored by the athletic department. At the annual Westpys, an awards ceremony for standout scholar athletes at West, Ms. Carter was recognized with the Coach’s Award and named to the Western State All-Conference first team.
Ms. Elliott, a student intern, may be contacted communications director Michelle Long-Coffee at LongCofm@wlac.edu