Chico State graduates retain hope and inspiration in turbulent times – Chico Enterprise-Record

CHICO — Even in times of hardship, fires, pandemics, and economic crises, many choose to take the leap and invest in their future.

Some, such as Chico State graduate Yureni Manzano, commit to painstaking work and long nights to make their dreams a reality.

Manzano made the decision to triple major in psychology, legal studies and political science. In the hours before the Chico State Commencement Ceremony, Manzano, the daughter of immigrants and a first-generation graduate, sat with her mother and father on campus, taking in the moment together.

“It’s difficult, you know?” Manzano said, citing the balance of family and school as the biggest challenge she faced. “I am the oldest and my family depends on me a lot. I am also the only one who speaks both languages in the household.”

While her five years working toward her three degrees saw many struggles to overcome, Manzano said she was eager to go on to the next chapter of her life. In this case, that means studying for the Law School Admission Test. She began her college career looking toward criminal justice as her major in hopes of becoming a police officer or detective but her aspirations grew as she looked at the flaws in the legal system and decided she wanted to make changes.

“That’s the reason why I wanted to go into political science and legal studies and then eventually go to law school and help in the juvenile justice system because I feel like overall, minorities are not represented as much but I feel like juveniles specifically are the ones that suffer the most in the system,” Manzano said.

Manzano hopes to study law at either UC Berkeley, UCLA or UC San Diego.

As the crowd of students donning their black and red caps and gowns began working their way to the Chico State University Field before the massive graduation stage, families smiled and pointed out their children, friends, cousins, mothers and fathers as they saw them walk to their the stadium seats.

Students in the colleges of engineering, computer science, construction management and agriculture were honored during the ceremony. The university’s College of Education and Communication graduated Thursday night; graduate students had a ceremony Wednesday.

Speakers and students alike spoke on the strangeness of the last few years and how much it affected their school lives.

“Students, your journey to degree over the past few years was unlike the experience of generations of students who have graduated before you,” said Chico State President Gayle Hutchinson during her speech to the graduating class. “Specifically, you have had to navigate the effects of the global pandemic. For you, COVID-19 meant adjusting your expectations from in-person learning and in-person campus experiences to figuring out how to learn online or in that hybrid environment.”

Christian Jimenez, an active Army veteran, earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. When he transferred to Chico State, all of his courses were online. Despite that, Jimenez said he was still able to succeed in finding many positive experiences.

“The first year it was all online because of COVID-19,” Jimenez said. “But in the year I was here in person, it was absolutely shocking. I didn’t expect to have a really great college experience overall because of the pandemic and restrictions, but I think Chico fulfilled that experience to the max.”

Agricultural education graduate Ryan Johnson stood in line before the ceremony next to his friend and peer agricultural business graduate Julio Vasquez reflecting on their college years.

“It’s been interesting transitioning back into in-person stuff,” Johnson said. “It’s been refreshing getting away from the computer screen and everything else.”

With school and the pandemic fading into the past, students looked on toward their futures and the next step.