March 31, 2017
As a young mother with no high school diploma, Cinthya Guerra knew she eventually would have to restart her education — for her kids and for herself.
Now, standing outside of Citizens Business Bank Arena with several hundred other American Career College graduates before Winter Commencement 2017, Guerra can't believe how far she's come.
"I waited a long time to be here," the ACC-Orange County graduate said.
Besides graduating from the dental assisting program with honors, Guerra also completed a high school equivalency program and was named her cohort's valedictorian. Guerra said she's proud to set a good example for her children and husband, because they were her biggest inspiration.
"I feel like this is not even reality to me. This, right here, says it all," Guerra said, holding up her valedictorian medal. "I can do this and more. I hope my story will help other young moms to just say it's possible. Don't give up, because I wanted to give up so many times and to just be here, right now, I have no words for this."
Ontario Campus: Voted Best Career College in the 2023 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Readers Choice Awards.
LA Campus: Voted Best Career College in the 2023 LA Daily News Readers Choice Awards.
OC Campus: Voted Favorite Career College in the 2023 San Gabriel Valley Tribune Readers Choice Awards.