We are thrilled to report that two SASS recipients, Laura Irene Carranza Rodriguez and Maria Anaya-Rodriguez, received certificates at Cañada College's commencement ceremony in May. These completions represent a major milestone for SASS since these students are the first SASS recipients to earn a certificate at community college. Both Laura and Maria received more than $1,000 in SASS scholarships that paid for college text books and transportation to college.

Laura, who was one of the first two SASS recipients to receive a SASS scholarship in 2010, earned a PASS (Preparation for Academic Scholarship and Success) certificate, meaning that she has completed all of the ESL and English courses necessary to take transfer-level classes--classes that count toward a degree at a four-year college or university. Laura's next step will be to earn a certificate in Early Childhood Education and then an Associates of Science Degree with a major in Early Childhood Education. Laura already has embarked on her career path: In May, she left her job at K-Mart and started work as an assistant teacher at the Redwood City Child Development Program.

Maria, who started attending Cañada College in 2011, received a General Office certificate that will prepare her for a career as an administrative assistant. While many students complete vocationally-focused certificate programs in 12 to 18 months, the addition of a comprehensive suite of college-level ESL classes makes completing certificate programs more time-consuming--and challenging--for ESL students like Maria. In Fall 2013, Maria was one of 515 (out of a total of 6,051 students) to make the Cañada College Dean's List. She will receive her PASS certificate at the end of the summer session.   

We look forward to reporting on many more graduating SASS recipients in coming years!