CLASS OF 2025
Nataly Andrea Bracety
Program: GED
Personal Message: āEarning my GED diploma is a major milestone, and Iām excited to unlock new opportunities and reach my full potential.ā
Thank you: Iām deeply grateful to everyone who supported me along this journeyāespecially my husband. His love, encouragement, and unwavering support have meant the world to me. I also want to thank the San Mateo Adult School and all my teachers. Your guidance, motivation, and dedication played a vital role in helping me succeed.
Future Plans: Looking ahead, I plan to continue my education to become a Medical Assistant and later a Licensed Vocational Nurse. My goal is to ļ¬nd a stable and fulļ¬lling career in the healthcare ļ¬eld, where I can make a meaningful diļ¬erence in peopleās lives.
Maria Lesley Casillas
Program: GED
Favorite Quote: āDonāt be afraid to speak up. Be proud of who you are. Donāt be afraid to share your story.ā ā Sonia Sotomayor
Personal Message: As I celebrate this milestone, I want to thank those who stood by me. Julio ā your love and support gave me strength when I needed it most. You are my anchor! Yoshiri āyour kindness and quiet strength mean so much. To my friends āthank you for the laughs, support, and motivation. Mrs. Carlota and Mr. Barnes ā thank you for pushing me to do my best.This graduation is not just mineāitās ours. Iām so grateful for each of you.
Fun Fact: I have two dogsāFloppy (14) and Dory (8). They are the light of my life!
Thomas Vaughan
Program: GED
Favorite Quote: "I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done."
Personal Message: I never thought Iād hold my own diplomaābut thanks to San Mateo Adult & Career Education, I no longer regret not ļ¬nishing my GED. A special thank you to my sister Catherine, who always believed in me and pushed me to keep going. I couldnāt have done it without the incredible support along the way. Thank you to everyone who believed in me!
Fun Fact: Iām always looking out for others. For the rest of my life, Iāll casually tell everyone I meet _ that itās never too late to get your GEDāand that programs like San Mateo Adult & Career Education make it possible!
Maria Velasco
Program: HSD
Personal Message: Self trust is the ļ¬rst secret of success, so believe in yourself and donāt ever give up! I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the staļ¬ and members of SMACE. Thank you for supporting us every step of the wayāeven beyond the completion of our program. With this diploma, I am inspired to continue my education and keep growing. I truly appreciate the opportunity and unwavering support you provide to us and the community.
Hobby: I love adventures! I enjoy discovering new places and trying out delicious food.
Renee Waash
Program: HSD
Quote: "Whether you believe you can or whether you believe you can't... you're right." ā Henry Ford
"I did it! 36 years later! Never give up!"
Thank you: A heartfelt thank you to all the teachers and staļ¬ at San Mateo Adult School for your unwavering support and dedication to every student. A very special thanks to Frantz Princeāthank you for recognizing my struggles with algebra and spending countless hours guiding me step by step. You rock!
My Future Plans: I plan to continue my education in the medical ļ¬eld and pursue a life ļ¬lled with success and happiness.
Noemi Hoyosparedes
Program: GED
Quote: āStarting over is not shameful ā starting over is dreaming again.ā
Personal Message: With this diploma, I step forward into my professional future. Thank you, God. Thank you to my mother for standing by my side and supporting me. To my sister ā your encouragement kept me going. To my older sister ā your motivation, even from afar, made a diļ¬erence. And to Professor Aaron Villarreal ā thank you for your constant encouragement and patience.
Wilson De Santana
Program: GED
Quote: "Having a gap in your education doesnāt mean thereās a gap in your intelligence. Keep pushing forward."
Thank You & Future Plans: Thank you to my amazing family for celebrating every step of the journey. Deep gratitude to SMACE staļ¬āespecially Mr. Lazalde, Carlota Zuniga, and Marina Kravtsovaāfor your support and inspiration. Iām excited to pursue a career in Electrical Engineering!
Fun Fact: I love traveling, good music, movies with family, and gaming with friends.
Kely Guzman
Program: GED
Quote: āNever stop learning, because life never stops teaching.ā
Future Plans & Thank You: First, I thank God for allowing me to live this experience. To my husband, Edwin Reano ā thank you for your trust and unconditional support. To my children, Kely and Hugo ā your patience and love mean the world. To my mother ā even from afar, your encouragement keeps me going. And to everyone who supported and guided me on this journey ā thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Fun Fact: I love spending time with my family and exploring new places together.
Yessica Avalos
Program: GED
My Story: I became a mom at a young age, and ļ¬nishing my GED was always a dream. Today, Iām proud to sayāI did it! Iām so grateful to my husband and best friend for their constant support.
Personal Message: Itās never too late. With patience, focus, and hard work, you can achieve anything.
Future Plans: I plan to keep studying and be an example for my kids. My next goal is to improve my English and pursue a new career path.
Free Time: I enjoy spending time with my husband and kidsāgoing to the beach, exploring San Francisco, or just grabbing ice cream.
Maribel Recillas
Program: GED
Cita o mensaje personal: "If my mind can conceive it and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it." ā Muhammad Ali
Breve nota de agradecimiento: Thanks to San Mateo Adult School for giving us the opportunity to earn this certiļ¬cate, to Professor Villarreal, and also I want to thank my tutor Yamini for her time and dedication, y Muy en especial a mi ESPOSO y a mis HIJOS por siempre apoyarme y celebrar todos mis logros.
Mi pasatiempo favorito es: Ā”Caminar por la playa y pasar tiempo con mi familia!
Edith Salazar Retamozo
Program: GED
Mensaje de graduaciĆ³n: Hola a todos, mi nombre es Edith Salazar, soy de PerĆŗ, Ā”el paĆs donde se come delicioso! Estoy casada y tengo dos hijos. Me inscribĆ en el programa GED para conseguir un mejor trabajo. Al principio pensĆ© que no lo lograrĆa por el tiempo, el cansancio y los retos diarios, especialmente el examen de matemĆ”ticas, que me daba mucho miedo. Pero tomĆ© la decisiĆ³n de continuar, y eso es lo mĆ”s importante: ir tras nuestros sueƱos. Quiero que mis hijos, Ćlvaro y Dayana, se sientan orgullosos y que este logro sea un ejemplo para ellos.
Breve nota de agradecimiento: Gracias a la Escuela de Adultos, al programa GED, y especialmente al profesor Aaron Villarreal por su paciencia y dedicaciĆ³n. Ā”Muchas gracias y felicidades a todos!
Renzo Huasasquiche Sianca
Program: HSD
Quote: āEven if the mission seems impossible, Iām going to give it a possibility.ā
Future Plans: I plan to earn my Associate Degree at CSM, then transfer to a university to pursue a Civil Engineering degree.
Gratitude: Thank you to everyone who supported meāmy teachers, friends, and especially my family, who are my reason and strength.
Fun Fact: I love going on road trips with good music and beautiful landscapes.
Deybi Hoyos Paredes
Program: GED
Quote: āNever doubt your intellectual capacity nor waste a second of your life.ā
Personal Message: Today, as I receive my diploma, Iām ļ¬lled with gratitude. Thank you to my husband, children, and parents for your unwavering support, and to my sisters for always motivating me. A special thanks to my daughter for paying for my exams, and to my teacher, Aaron Villarreal, for being a true guide and mentor. Above all, thank you to God for giving me strength. Congratulations to all the graduates!
Diana Orellana
Program: GED
Quote: āProof that moms don't quit... we just take the scenic route. Mom always can!ā
Thank You Note: Thank you to my family for believing in meāespecially my son, who was patient when I didnāt have enough time to play. You reminded me why I kept going. To the teachers and staļ¬āthank you for helping me grow, both as a student and a person. And to my past selfāthank you for choosing to try again. This diploma means strength, growth, and hope.
Something About Me: I love spending time with my family.
Maggy Flores
Program: GED
Mensaje para compartir: El Ć©xito es la suma de pequeƱos esfuerzos diarios. Con disciplina y dedicaciĆ³n, los sueƱos se alcanzan. Nunca es tarde para lograr tus metas.
Nota de agradecimiento: Gracias a los profesores y al personal de San Mateo Adult School por su dedicaciĆ³n. Su compromiso permite que muchos estudiantes sigan creciendo y ampliando sus conocimientos.
Veronica Vivas
Program: GED
Planes Futuros y Mensaje: Mi meta es seguir cumpliendo mis sueƱos con la ayuda de Dios y el apoyo de mi familia. No fue un camino fĆ”cil, pero hoy me siento muy agradecida, especialmente con el maestro que nos guiĆ³ con paciencia y dedicaciĆ³n. Gracias por todo.
Hamza Sh
Program: GED
Thank You Note: I am deeply thankful for my familyās unwavering support, guidance, and encouragement throughout this journey.
Melissa Ayala
Program: HSD
To my parents: Thank you for always believing in me, for encouraging me to dream big, and for being the best in the world.
Benjamin, Abigail ā this is for you. If I could do it, you both can tooāand even better.
To my cousins: I'm paving the way for you. Never stop believing in yourselves.
To my aunts and uncles, thank you for your love and support. I love you all.
Quote:
āWhen God has something for you, it doesnāt matter who stands against it. God will move someone thatās holding you back away from the door and put someone there who will open it for you if itās meant for you.ā
ā Chadwick Boseman
You have earned this moment!