The Porterville Adult School 2026 graduation on Tuesday at Porterville Church of the Nazarene featured 110 graduates, who received their High School Diplomas, High School Equivalency certificates, and Career Technical Education credentials.
The CTE graduates were presented with their stole and pin for Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy, and Pharmacy Technician programs.
PAS Director Lariann Torres welcomed Pastor Mark Pitcher from Porterville Church of the Nazarene, Porterville Unified School District Superintendent Nate Nelson and officials Lillian Durbin, Martha Stuemky and Rudy Ruiz, and everyone supportive of PAS programs. She acknowledged PAS Assistant Director Denise Douglas, Valerie Craig, Pedro Uribe, and Brandi Newby, the Pharmacy Technician instructor, Dr. Citaly Brown, Tule River Education Center and Tule River Tribal council members. She also thanked PAS, Port Naz. and PUSD staff.
Pitcher congratulated the students, saying "You've given the gift of encouragement to your family and friends celebrating as you accomplished this goal in your life. You've achieved passion in your life and fulfillment to others. We are here to celebrate, and may that celebration just continue on, not just tonight, but throughout this entire season.”
Every speech was received with joy and loud applause.
The first graduate speaker was Edith Rush, who invited her instructor Brandi Newby to stand with her on stage. "Hello, it is such an honor to be standing here today. My name is Edith Rush, and I'm a graduate of the 2025 Pharmacy Technician Program. I feel gratitude. Gratitude for the journeys that brought me here, and gratitude for every single person who helped me take this significant step forward.”
Rush said a few years ago her life was drastically different, and she had to make a difficult decision to rebuild her life in California, and start over with absolutely nothing, which was a tremendous effort.
She said it wouldn't have been possible without the unwavering love and support of her family and loved ones. "You help me up when I couldn't stand on my own, and I carry your strength with me every bit."
Rush expressed her deepest thanks to her professional community, employer, and supervisors, and thanked them for their understanding, flexibility, and belief in her potential, as she pursued certification.
"Your support has shown me that work environment, nurturing growth, supporting second chances that we need. Thank you to the incredible faculty, who guided us. More specifically to our amazing instructor, Brandi Newby.
“And Brandi, you are more than just a teacher, you're a connector, and a transformation, your dedication to this program and to us, teaching your students to go above and beyond. You provided a classroom that felt safe, challenging, and full of possibility. Thank you for your support, your patience, and for teaching us, not just the role of a pharmacy technician, but the confidence to succeed.
“When she first joined the staff here at Porterville Adult School, she was professionally told that she was a unicorn in the school district. due to her unique background and expertise. Now, some of you may know that Ms. Brandi and I have shared a bit of a running joke this past semester, one that she may or may not know was coming from me. I have had a tradition of sneaking small unicorn figures in her classroom as a reminder of how she is one of a kind, and how special she is to all of us. Well, Miss Brandi, I have one final unicorn for you today. This one is not a joke, but it's a sure token of my gratitude and appreciation. For everything you have done for me and the entire class, and thank you for helping me rewrite my story.
“Thank you for my family, my employers, my classmates, and the amazing Porterville Adult School faculty. We did it. And I look forward to seeing the wonderful things this graduating class will do. Thank you all, and congratulations."
The second graduate speaker was Maria Jaquelina Ramirez Diaz, who spoke in Spanish, and completed her Spanish HiSET degree. She thanked the PAS teachers.
The final speaker, Darrell Nunnelley, completed his Nurse Assistant Program, and greeted everyone, "Family, friends, instructors, fellow classmates. Today is more than the end of the program. It is the beginning of a journey into a profession built on compassion, patience and service. When we first walked into class, many of us were nervous, wondering if we could handle the coursework, skills lab. And clinicals. We pushed through long hours, and questioned ourselves.
“Personally, the program was deeper to me than just a certificate. It taught me to forgive myself.
Despite my tough past, this program taught me that I am a good person again. And taught me that my past did not define me. And that I too, can achieve anything I put my mind to.
“The opportunity to care, assist, and talk to residents gave me the confidence to be successful in the nursing assistant program.
“And to our fellow graduates, we did this. We have chosen a career that truly matters, as we step into hospitals, long term care facilities, and homes. Let's remember why we started because we wanted to help people, because we wanted to make a difference. We may not be doctors or nurses. But we are the eyes, the ears, and the hands, and often the heart of patients. What we do matters and who we are matters.
“Congratulations, class of 2026. May we go forward with confidence and compassion and the courage to care.”
California Council for Adult Education scholarships were presented by Valerie Craig, Candelaria Santoyo, and Pedro Uribe to three deserving graduates. Craig presented a scholarship to Angela Schuler, who she said had a plan and time line to complete her HiSet. Ashley Sapien received the second scholarship to much applause. The third scholarship was given to Sibel Lagos Ramirez, and was announced in Spanish.
Once the High School Equivalency and Diplomas were given to graduates the Tule River Tribe presented their graduates with gifts of ceremonial graduation blankets which they wore before they received their diplomas.
Citlaly Brown from the Tule River Education Department spoke personally about the Tule River graduates saying, "the ceremony is touching to our hearts. Many students have worked tirelessly to reach this milestone while managing significant responsibilities outside of school. I would like to recognize three outstanding students: Anthony Calderon, Charlie Dabney III, and Elena Eugene.
“Anthony has shown deep dedication to his culture while pursuing his diploma, balancing performances at powwows with his studies and demonstrating perseverance. Charlie, a father of two and a wildland firefighter, managed 14-plus hour workdays while maintaining his commitment to family and school, ultimately achieving his educational goal. Elena, a mother and grandmother, embodies resilience, returning to school to show her family what is possible despite work and caregiving responsibilities.
“Their perseverance has inspired me personally and professionally. I am honored to have been part of each of their journeys and grateful for the opportunity to celebrate their achievements. And I hope this will inspire others to follow their example and pursue success."
After the speeches scholarships were presented to graduates and diplomas were handed to graduates by PAS faculty, as were the CTE pins and stoles.
And happy families, grandparents, and great grandparents and small children were able to see their loved graduates after at least 1,000 or more people left to greet them outside of the church.