CHICO — Eduardo Herrera and Mackenzie Vrablick have been best friends since their sophomore year of high school, and on Saturday, the duo graduated from Chico State together.
“It definitely hasn’t been easy,” said Vrablick, who majored in public health. “It’s been a long four or five years for us but we finally made it.”
Herrera, who studied psychology, said one of the biggest hurdles they both faced was making sure they were financially stable as they made their way through college.
“We had to be working basically full time,” Herrera said. “And on my two days off I would come to school. So we basically never had a day off. I’d work and then grinded it out, and now we’re here.”
The moment they met, the two quickly became friends, Vrablick said.
“Each of us comes from a single-parent household,” said Vrablick. “So they’ve been keeping us afloat this whole time.”
Herrera added, “Her mom is my mom and my mom is her mom.”
Chico State graduated 630 students Saturday morning and an additional 716 Saturday night, all with degrees from the behavioral and social sciences department. Ashley Gebb, the executive director of communications for the school, said Chico State is graduating more than 3,200 students in total this semester.
Leading up to the morning commencement, graduates walking in with their families and friends branched off to join their peers just west of the University Stadium, prepared to walk.
Stephanie Trimpe just wrapped up her second stint in college.
“I went to college right out of high school but I didn’t finish,” Trimpe said. “I started a family and then came back to school in 2019, and so I’m finally graduating.”
Trimpe earned her degree in sociology.
“I would like to help people, and I like interacting with people and finding resources for people so that they can be successful,” Trimpe said. “I am super excited.”
‘Happy time of year’
In the line outside the stadium, students took pictures together and embraced faculty members who walked along the lines, checking in with their soon-to-be graduates. Molly Heck, a lecturer in multicultural and gender studies with the school of social work, roamed back and forth stopping to speak with the students.
“It’s always such a happy time of year,” Heck said. “There is so much life that happens to students to get them to this place. I just love coming here.”
Heck said she has been volunteering for the commencement ceremonies for about 12 years.
“This is the best,” Heck said. “This is when I want to come give hugs and be a part of the celebration. I love it. The students are awesome.”
Just moments before the students were introduced, parents began lining up at the gates to get photos of their kids walking in. Matt and Jennifer Shipp, parents of Madison Shipp, were ready with their cameras to watch their daughter move on to the next chapter in her life.
“She’s amazing,” Jennifer Shipp said. “She is the first graduate of the family. She’s going to continue her education with nursing. We are just beyond proud.”
Jennifer Shipp noted that Madison didn’t get an in-person high school graduation because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“She’s going to be an amazing nurse,” Jennifer Shipp said.
“She’s also pretty good at fishing,” Matt Shipp added.
Speakers during the ceremony included Chico State President Steve Perez, student speaker Belle Custodio and Provost Leslie Cornick. The National Anthem was performed by Claire Vandeman.
Custodio spoke about the tribulations she has overcome to get to her college graduation.
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“For me, 2020 was the year I graduated from high school and the year my family became homeless, among other life-changing events that affected who I am,” Custodio said. “The years that I began my college education at Chico State were extremely difficult; I was navigating aspects of adult life that I took for granted, dealing with bureaucratic healthcare systems and getting myself set up with CalFresh, while also trying to find my footing in online classes.”
Custodio continued: “As many of you well know, once you gain such a role, the people around you expect you to be able to maintain it. I’ve buckled under that immense pressure countless times throughout my education at Chico State, but I’ve never let it break me. Part of the reason for that is the support I’ve received from my family, friends, and the amazing faculty and staff at Chico State. I can’t begin to thank my partner’s family enough for supporting me with open arms and being my second home.”
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