Kissimmee, FL – On Saturday, May 8, a total of 2,800 graduates will receive their associate degrees as Valencia Community College celebrates its 41st spring commencement at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.
These students join the more than 80,000 graduates who have received degrees since Valencia was established in 1967. Among two-year schools, Valencia awards the second largest number of associate degrees in the nation.
This year’s commencement speaker is 20-year-old Kim Do, who was named the 2009-2010 Distinguished Graduate by the Valencia Alumni Association. Born in Vietnam, Do moved to the United States when she was nine years old. She overcame culture shock and learned a new language in order to make friends and succeed in school. Now, as a graduating Valencia student, she holds a 3.64 GPA and has earned a reputation for her involvement around campus and within the community as the president of the Alpha Phi Zeta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society on the Osceola Campus. Do plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and ultimately become a plastic surgeon so that she can help children with birth defects. She currently resides in Kissimmee.
Commencement exercises will take place at 10 a.m. at Silver Spurs Arena, Osceola Heritage Park, on U.S. Hwy. 192 in Kissimmee.
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