Activity Reports

The ceremony was officiated by CET Training Supervisor, John Bocanegra. Following the Processional, a Color Guard from the Socorro High School Navy Junior ROTC presented the colors. The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by Mariano Miranda and the Invocation was by Maria Elena Dominguez.

During the welcoming ceremony, Rosie Guerrero, Center Director, presented faculty and staff recognition awards. Mrs. Maria Elena Dominguez, Medical Billing program instructor, was selected by the students to receive the Semi-Annual Teacher Award for winter 2004-05. Her students wrote: We the medical billing class personally feels that God has sent us a gift from above with having Mrs. Dominguez as our teacher. She has educated us in the medical field for us to succeed in life.....She is always there to hear us out and lift our spirits when they are down.' Mrs. Rosalba Solis, Financial Aid Officer, was also given recognition for her work. She received, for the second time, the Semi-Annual Staff Award for Winter Session 2004-05. Ms. Solis, a CET graduate herself, serves as the staff sponsor of the Socorro CET student council. She has been instrumental in encouraging and motivating students to complete their training and strongly believes that CET can make a difference in people's lives.

The Mayor of Socorro, Mr. Guillermo (Willie) Gandara, Jr. was the Graduation Keynote Speaker. He said that it was a privilege for him to be able to speak to the graduating class and told them that they should be proud of their accomplishments. The graduates were told that they should see this as a new beginning and encouraged them to keep on learning and wished them success in their new careers.

Moving speeches were given by the Graduating class representatives, Jose Santacruz, Sandra Ulloa and Sylvia Burchett. Mr. Santacruz, Truck Driver training program student, told a story of a man walking the street and falling into a hole. The man was able to get out and continue walking. The second day the man again fell into a hole and again he was able to get up and get out of the hole. The third day he again fell into the hole but now he needed help. He said CET was there to help him. The CET staff and faculty gave them their hand and helped him out of the hole. He further stated that he was very grateful to CET for helping him.

Sandra Ulloa, Shipping and Receiving/Warehouse Operations student, thanked CET for providing the opportunity to improve and challenge their lives and their futures. She also said that she made a positive choice by enrolling in CET. Sylvia Burchett, Medical Insurance Billing program student, said she was grateful to CET for giving her and her daughter Shayna, also a graduate, the opportunity to come to school. She told the graduates to reach for their goals, that it was never too late. She said that all graduates needed to set an example for their children. She thanked everyone at CET and said that she is looking toward to a new career.

In the Employer Recognition portion of the program, a special award was given to Mr. Gilbert Aranda, HR recruiter from SWIFT Transportation. Mr. Aranda was acknowledged for helping CET secure a generous donation that, as of today, has provided scholarships to 22 Truck Driver program students. Mr. Aranda is a strong supporter of CET, a member of the CET Industrial Advisory Board, and has hired many of the Socorro CET students. Michael Diaz, CET's Industrial Specialist, accepted the award on behalf of Mr. Aranda, who was unable to attend.

CET staff member, Rosalba Solis, took the time to acknowledge the entire Student Council, and in particular, Gloria Gonzalez, Maria Perez, and Teresa Sandoval. Ms. Solis presented these students with Certificates of Appreciation for their hard work in planning and helping to carry out the graduation program.