SALISBURY, N.C. – Rowan-Cabarrus Community College recently held its first-ever official graduation ceremony for students completing the English as a Second Language (ESL) program. The event was held at the College’s North Campus in Salisbury.

“Rowan-Cabarrus is a college dedicated to lifelong learning, and we love to see students take the educational steps to improve their lives and careers,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus. “The ESL program is a perfect example of students motivated to move the needle in their favor, and we could not be more proud of each of these graduates.”

Graduates were Margarita Alvarez Carranza, Tolentino Aviles Vance’s, Katherine Beltran Montoya, Pela Cruz Baracoa, Claudia Razo de Ibanez, Oliva Escobar Torres, Sonia Estrada Toledo, Thong my Inthavong, Angelia Jimenez Camacho, Marina Lahaina, Brasilia Lopez Flores, Maribel Mindanao Silva, Arianna Marti Garcia, Amy Mejia, Carlos Manuel Mercedes Kelly, Katy Moreno Moreno, Benito Mosso, Jesus Ordonez Valdez, Lilia Perez Alvarez, Teresita Romero Salazar, Maria Isabel Sanchez, Mageli Solano, and Nai Ling Tucker. Marina Ladyhina was also recognized for being inducted into the National Adult Honor Society. Diplomas were presented by ESL lead instructor Roberta Mahatha and instructor Lauren Hatchett.

“You are an inspiration; never stop learning,” said speaker Mary Jane Hartley, a Career & College Readiness instructor at Rowan-Cabarrus. She went on to quote Ford Motor Company founder and business magnate Henry Ford: “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”

The 2018-2019 ESL graduates are natives of China, Cuba, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and the Ukraine.

For more information about the College & Career Readiness/English as a Second Language program, please visit staging.rccc.edu/precollege/about-ell-program/.