Northland Pioneer College (NPC) celebrates its 48th Commencement on Saturday, May 14, at the Holbrook Unified School District Roadrunner stadium. General admission begins at 10 a.m. This is the first time the event has been held at the stadium, and NPC encourages families, friends, and members of the public to celebrate the 2022 graduates. Field seating is restricted to individuals with reserved tickets. Open seating will be available in the stadium’s bleachers. The ceremony will be streamed live on YouTube. Visit www.npc.edu/2022grads to access the live feed. This year’s commencement speaker is Professor Luci Tapahonso who was the inaugural Poet Laureate of the Navajo Nation and is a Professor Emerita of English Literature at the University of New Mexico. She is the author of three children’s books and six books of poetry. Professor Tapahonso has delivered keynote addresses at several conferences and institutions, including Harvard University, Gallup Central High School, Kenyon College, Institute of American Indian Arts, the Tbisili International Literature Festival in the Republic of Georgia, and “Creativity Week” at the University of New Zealand at Auckland and Wellington. She recently completed a script for an exhibition called “Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art” for the American Heritage Gallery at Walt Disney World’s Epcot and is completing the manuscript for her next book. NPC will award 601 degrees and certificates to 424 deserving students. Fifty-one NPC graduates are receiving transfer degrees. Of those degrees, 33 Associate of Arts degrees will be awarded to students, two of whom will earn their Associate of Arts in Early Childhood and another five their Associate of Arts in Elementary Education. Three students are taking home an Associate of Business degree and 10 graduates are receiving an Associate of Science degree. The Associate of General Studies degree will be conferred upon nine graduates. One hundred seven graduates are recipients of the Associate of Applied Science degree, and an additional 90 students have earned Certificates of Applied Science. Three hundred forty-five students will earn their Certificates of Proficiency. Actual degrees and certificates will be conferred upon verification of final grades and credits. Guests and the graduates are invited to a President’s Reception immediately following the ceremony. Five outstanding graduates will address their peers during the ceremony. These outstanding graduates are being recognized for their top grade-point averages and overall academic achievements. Horacio Luna of Holbrook is the top graduate for the Associate of Business degree. NPC’s top Associate of Applied Science graduate is Desiree Montejano of Snowflake. Erica Novak of St. Johns is the top graduate for Associate of Science. Lauren Stidham, who lives in Mesa, is the top Associate of Arts graduate. Addison Burson, a former resident of Lakeside who currently lives in Casa Grande, will represent the Associate of General Studies. Horacio Luna is this year’s outstanding graduate in the business department earning an Associate of Business. He began his college career while attending high school by taking college-level math courses through NPC. His studies developed into an interest in business technology and he is looking into pursuing his bachelor’s in computer science and business entrepreneurship at Grand Canyon University (GCU). His interest in video games and playing the guitar built a foundation for learning audio systems and how amps, audio, and video systems worked together. He competed in a business competition at the University of Arizona and related, “it was a little nerve-wracking. We presented in front of various schools from around the state; we did our best and worked together. It gave us a sense of unity and, in the end, a great sense of accomplishment at what we can do together.” During his college career, Luna worked in NPC’s Technology Hub Center, assisting NPC students with tech-related items. He recently applied for a position at NPC and hopes to continue supporting tech-related educational needs. Luna’s favorite quote is by the author Tony Robbins: “No matter how many mistakes you make, or how slow your progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying.” Luna profoundly appreciates the help of Alvin “Ben” Coppolo, an NPC English dual enrollment faculty, NPC Faculty in philosophy, Dr. Gary Santillanes, and NPC Faculty in business, Jennifer Bishop (Chair), and Rachel Arroyo-Townsend. For fellow outstanding graduate Desiree Montejano, obtaining her Associate of Applied Science degree has not only taken true grit, but the desire to prove that with a combination of hard work, kindness, and an understanding of individual differences, amazing things can be achieved. “My parents always encouraged us to complete our associate degree in high school,” she explains. Montejano struggles with dyslexia and has had an individualized educational plan (IEP) in place throughout her scholastic career. While attending high school, “I had someone tell me I wasn’t going to be able to do it – that I would never get my associate’s degree while attending high school. They never believed in me.” But instead of giving credence to the words, Montejano enrolled herself in college English classes at NPC. “It motivated me. I do have disabilities, but it doesn’t matter. I feel that you should always push students to do better and to go to college. If they struggle, offer to help them, be there for them when they need it most.” Montejano completed her studies in NPC’s cosmetology program in June of 2021 and officially finished her degree this past December – all at the age of 19. “I never thought I would be named an outstanding graduate and rank among the top of my class,” she says. “I want people to know that it doesn’t matter if you have disabilities or struggle; you should always push yourself. If you can’t do it the first time, try again. Believe in yourself, and you will find a way.” With the help of Montejano’s parents and Amy Standerfer, a high school teacher and librarian, who advocated and offered her a caring ear during her senior year, Montejano has indeed found a way. She currently owns her own beauty business, Beautyobsessedbydez, specializing in eyelash extensions, cuts, and colors. Her favorite quote sums it up nicely: “they told me I couldn’t. That’s why I did.” NPC would like to congratulate these outstanding students and their peers as they complete their journey with NPC as the graduating class of 2022.
