The Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park was the site of the 111th annual City College Commencement Ceremony and celebrated the graduating class on May 22, 2025.
The ceremony opened with live music and a display by the White Dragon Martial Arts group, who performed a Chinese dragon dance.
The dancing continued as drums played and sage was spread throughout the venue. The opening ceremony consisted of singing from the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Choir, followed by the pledge of allegiance by Associate Student Government President Dalia Ramirez, and the national anthem which was sung by Anishka Lee-Skerepa.
Graduates arrived smiling in anticipation of the day’s events. Families and loved ones gathered to celebrate those dearest to them. Most graduates described the atmosphere as surreal, as a sense of accomplishment permeated the air.
Montserrat Vaquera isn’t just graduating from City, she is being recognized by three colleges of the San Diego Community College District. Vaqueras received an associate degree in social behavioral sciences through City College, through Miramar, an associate degree for transfer in criminal justice, and through Mesa, an associate degree for transfer in psychology.
“I was too nervous being a first-generation student. I didn’t know who to ask, where to go,” Vaquera said. “So that was my favorite memory, going to the college fairs, and going to the Transfer Center, having them kind of push me, because I didn’t even think about transferring.”
For Aline Mayoral-Sosa, a cybersecurity major, graduating fills her with pride and makes her happy to be where she is now.
“My favorite memory was actually signing up to college, thinking, who knows what would happen next,” Mayoral-Sosa said. “And now it’s a dream come true.”
Speakers President Ricky Shabazz, Trustee Geysil Arroyo, Chancellor Greg Smith, ASG President Dalia Ramirez, and Senate President Mona Alsoraimi-Espiritu congratulated the graduates and discussed their personal experiences with City College and graduation before the ceremonial graduation walk.
The graduation was capped off with a performance of live music by a mariachi group, Mariachi Victoria.
This story was edited by David J. Bohnet.
