Superintendent President Mike Munoz gave a speech at LBCC’s Gradfest event, explaining how much it means for the faculty and staff to celebrate the incoming graduating class of 2023 and their accomplishments throughout the years.
“For the students that are going to be graduating, it’s important we take a moment’s pause and really just honor their tenacity and everything that they went through. This is a very special class. This class either started at the start of the pandemic or went through their educational experience through the pandemic,” said Munoz.
“To be able to be out here in the quad filled with students’ energy to celebrate their accomplishments it’s really important. As for the students who might not be ready to graduate they will be able to see the energy out here, this could be a source of motivation to be like ‘Yes I can keep going when things get tough at times,’ added Munoz.
Rows of club booths with various games were present, free food and drinks were available for students to grab and go to.
A karaoke station was set up and students were able to request songs to sing.
A DJ set played trendy music, while a barbecue station served up veggie and char burgers along with soft drinks, and snacks to students. The boba stand in particular gained traction with long lines of students waiting patiently for their dairy and non-dairy drinks.
However, the booth that attracted the most students was the cap and gown station where graduating students were in line to purchase their cap and gowns as well as take graduation photos.
LBCC bookstore manager Ruth Rameriz was in charge of the cap and gown booth and expressed how the booth workers as a whole wanted to make graduating students feel special and proud while purchasing and taking pictures in their gowns.
“We try to make it special for them as possible selling cap and gowns for graduating students,” said Ramirez.
LBCC graduating student Tifanny Henry expressed her excitement for the annual LBCC graduation ceremony and how much it would mean for her family to see her walk in the ceremony.
“This is definitely exciting because I’ve never been to something like this. My parents are excited. They cannot wait, it’s going to be a hectic day,” said Henry.
In the afternoon, live band Those Guys performed song covers such as Stevie Wonder’s “Superstitions” and Bruno Mars’ “24k Magic.”
Onlookers enjoyed the music and danced while visiting each booth.
LBCC president Mike Munoz dances and mingles with students at the 2023 Gradfest at LAC. (Lauren Benson) 
LBCC student Kyle Marquez sings karaoke on the E quad lawn during LBCC’s 2023 Gradfest. (Lauren Benson) 
Dennis Rodriguez, member of the band Those Guys, entertained the crowd at LBCC’s 2023 Gradfest. (Lauren Benson) 
LBCC student Kiara Padua plays a game of cornhole on the E quad lawn. (Lauren Benson) 
Students Fionna Bennett and Mara Stanford enjoy karaoke on the E quad lawn. The karaoke booth was open to all who wanted to sing. (Lauren Benson)