Students applaud Dantzelle Yazzie, who was one of seven graduates to receive a bachelor’s degree from PCC this year. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)
Students applaud Dantzelle Yazzie, who was one of seven graduates to receive a bachelor’s degree from PCC this year. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)Erika Alvero

On Saturday, about 150 students from Pueblo Community College Southwest were recognized not just as college graduates, but also as unsung community heroes.

The commencement ceremony took place at noon in the Montezuma-Cortez High School auditorium. Over 300 family members and friends attended, lining the auditorium walls to cheer on their brightly festooned loved ones receiving degrees and certificates.

“You are truly superheroes,” nursing student Deanne “Angel” Kennett told her classmates, many of whom had balanced classes, family, and work in pursuit of their studies. Kennett spoke as president of the Associated Student Government at PCC’s Mancos campus.

Lisa Molina, director of student services, tells students to celebrate their dreams. What’s past is prologue, she says, quoting Shakespeare. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)
Lisa Molina, director of student services, tells students to celebrate their dreams. What’s past is prologue, she says, quoting Shakespeare. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)Erika Alvero
PCC President Chato Hazelbaker, Ph.D., praises graduates for their perseverance and looks to the future. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)
PCC President Chato Hazelbaker, Ph.D., praises graduates for their perseverance and looks to the future. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)Erika Alvero

PCC President Chato Hazelbaker, Ph. D., echoed the superhero theme, urging graduates to pursue their dreams, no matter how daunting. “Build that flying car!” he joked. This was Hazelbaker’s first commencement ceremony as president of the Pueblo Community College campuses, as he stepped into the position last July.

Saturday’s graduates received a variety of degrees and certificates from PCC’s four divisions: arts and sciences, business and advanced technology, medical and behavioral health, and health professions and public safety.

Interim Dean Kevin Aten, Ph.D., celebrates the many first-generation college students in his speech to the class of 2025. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)
Interim Dean Kevin Aten, Ph.D., celebrates the many first-generation college students in his speech to the class of 2025. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)Erika Alvero
Deanne “Angel” Kennett, president of the Associated Student Government, honors her classmates’ dedication and perseverance through their studies. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)
Deanne “Angel” Kennett, president of the Associated Student Government, honors her classmates’ dedication and perseverance through their studies. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)Erika Alvero

The graduating class included seven students who received a bachelor’s degree and 69 high school students involved in PCC’s concurrent enrollment program, allowing them to receive college credit while still in high school.

Nursing student Dantzelle Yazzie was one of those who received a bachelor’s degree. Yazzie gave the commencement’s opening land acknowledgment statement, which she had helped write.

“Pueblo Community College continues to collaborate with Tribal nations by learning, listening, advocating, and supporting all Indigenous communities in creating meaningful futures,” she said.

Nursing student Dantzelle Yazzie gives the PCC land acknowledgment that she herself helped write. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)
Nursing student Dantzelle Yazzie gives the PCC land acknowledgment that she herself helped write. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)Erika Alvero
Elementary education student April Salvatore was selected as this year’s President’s Distinguished Scholar. In the fall she will attend Fort Lewis College to pursue a bachelor’s degree. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)
Elementary education student April Salvatore was selected as this year’s President’s Distinguished Scholar. In the fall she will attend Fort Lewis College to pursue a bachelor’s degree. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)Erika Alvero

This year, April Salvatore was selected as the President’s Distinguished Scholar, an annual award given for academic achievement and excellence. Salvatore graduated with an associate’s degree in elementary education, and in the fall she will attend Fort Lewis College to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Throughout the ceremony, staff honored students for persevering toward their dreams, and families for their support. “None of us got here alone,” Hazelbaker said.

Later, he lauded students for their contributions to the local community, through health care, teaching, and law enforcement, among many other realms. “You are the core of our future,” he said.

Dr. Kevin Aten, interim dean at the Southwest campus, celebrated the many first generation students and faculty members sitting on the stage, including himself amongst that number. He noted too that although the ceremony marked the end of an era, it more importantly signaled the start of something new — it was a commencement, after all.

“This, as I say, is just the beginning of a conversation,” he said. “It’s just the beginning of a journey.”

Pueblo Community College Southwest 2025 graduates

Pueblo Community College Southwest held its commencement ceremony on Saturday at the Montezuma-Cortez High School auditorium. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

A-CSamuel Brigham Adamson, Samuel Isaac Aguirre, Taegen Allen, Aaron Andazola, Alexis Leigh Anderson, Chauncey Aspromonte, Kerianna Frances Balatche, Kaile W. Bancroft, Myles BM Barnard, Craig Edward Beauchamp, Ashaunee D. Begay, Evan Berridge, Stacy Caidyn Beyale, Lauren Biery, Sarah Megan Brody, Victoria Rose Brown, Tara Buffington, Achiraya Ruangchan Burnham, Brian Eldon Burt, Danica Lea Busby, Cali Kay Candelaria, Lucas Howard Carlson, Zane Charles Plowman Caselles, Kiffany Chaffin, Marc Daniel Collins, Amanda Jo Connors, Dakota Dean Cressler, Grecia Cruz.

D-GBreanna Marie Daves, Charlene J. Draper, Mason Jay Dyar, Ramona Janette Eaton, Kayla Edwards, Ian Lennon Ellis, Crystal English, Colin James Fichtelman, Lucas Figueroa, Molly Fisher, Melissa A. Flynn, Sequana Adakai Francis, Bridgette Fullington, Angela M. Gallegos-Alualu, Misael Garcia Grado, Destany Lett Gaudet, Evan O. Goff, Denae Gonzales, Gavin Dean Gray, Isaiah C. Grijalva, Heather Gunn.

H-KTruman Hatch, Tyla Vicki Henry, Jacob Hobart, Tiffany Lee Holaday, Trevor Horton, Victoria Dannelle Hunt, Cynthia Jelly, Shannon D. Jennings, Jacqueline W. Jim, Geneva John, Tyrone Jacob John, Grace I. Johnson, Joshua D. Keithley, Ramona Kennedy, Deanne Kennett, Charfena N. Kinlichee, Salem Dawn Knuckles, James Kofford, Austan A. Koller, Keirnan Michael Korthank, Keira LaRose, Staci Kaplan.

L-PCarter Lang, Randi Lee Lewis, Natalia Lobato, Maya Evelyn Lowe, Elia Katherine Lowe, Jacob Loyd, Christopher Ludington, Shafi Majeed, Bibiche Mambimbi Makiosi, Logan K. Martin, Christina Marie Martinez, Rudi Martinez, Julian Tyler McAteer, Tyson A. McCabe, Faith Noelle McKenzie, David McLaughlin, Charles Miller, Colby Morton, Jillian Mund, Arianna Muniz, Shea M. Murphy, Zetta Mustoe, Nicole R. Ness, Donavan O. Ness, Seth Aaron Fitzhugh Newton, Harry Lawrence Nolan, Hannah Rose Parker, Siena Rachel Parr, Katrina Ann Patterson, Chelsea Yvonne Powell, Riley J. Proctor, Aaron V.

Pugmire

R-SJames D. Randolph, Aden Lee Ray, Mitzi Redhorse, Jessie Marie Rhodes, Matthew James Riggins, Lucas Bradley Roderick, Allison Rooney, Bronson Root, Karl Michael Roznai, Joseph Alan Ruiz, Nicholas Lee Russell, April Rose Salvatore, Lyndon L. Sandoval, Jenna Scheib, Jessica Marie Schutz, Tieler Nicole Schutze, Casandra Segura, Suzanne J. Silas, Stephanie Simmons, Victor Damiond Lee Smith, Billy Dean Smith, Colten Bryce Spiva, Alexia Stash, Joel M. Stevenson, Denae D. Stucka-Benally, Victoria L. Studstill, Joseph I.

Summers

T-ZBrittney Tatem, Emily Tavra, Ma’Keelin Thom, Peter Thorburn, Kord Lawrence Tideman, Kerwin Tom, Jr., Anne-Marie Uhrenbacher, Kellian Valerio, Katelynn Vaughn, Deserie Marie Vazquez, Roy Anthony Vega, Gregory Ward, Jennessa Watson, Lindsey Wells, Shantell D. Willie, Lisa Wright, Dantzelle Sonya Yazzie 30001453