"Follow your dreams, follow your passion" the theme of LTCC commencement ceremony

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - "Don't be afraid of doing things different and don't be afraid of the outside world," Olympic Gold Medalist and South Shore native Jamie Anderson told those gathered on the soccer field on the Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) campus Friday night as she delivered the school's commencement keynote address. "Lead the life you're stoked for."

"Follow Your Dreams" was the theme of the evening as hundreds of family members, faculty, friends and community members watched the LTCC Class of 2017 graduate.

151 students are members of the class of 2017, and nearly 100 graduates walked during commencement. Among those graduating were 10 with straight A's, 26 graduating with honors (GPA of 3.65-3.99), 78 ready to transfer to four-year colleges, 38 with career technical certificates and four incarcerated students, the first graduating class of this new group of students. There was also eight countries represented in cap and gowns: Australia, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Spain, United Kingdom as well as the United States.

"Build the world you want to be part of," LTCC Superintendent/President Jeff DeFranco said as he kicked off the ceremony. "Take a bit of Tahoe with you and spread the Tahoe love around the world as you go."

DeFranco told the graduates that those with AA degrees earn twice as much in salary in two years than those without a degree, three times as much in five years.

"Rest assured you did the right thing," he said of their reaching the evening.

"Follow your dreams, follow your passion," DeFranco encourage the graduates. "Be open to opportunities even in the strangest of places. Bring passion and purpose. Claim your dreams continue to follow them."

Professor Dr. Mark Williams, the Academic Senate President, sang "This is the Moment, This is the Day" to the students. Here is a portion of the song:

This is the moment; this is the day
When I send all my doubts and demons on their way.
Every endeavor I have made ever
Is coming into play, is here and now today.
This is the moment, when all I've done
All of the dreaming, scheming and screaming become one.
This is the day, just see it shine
When all I've lived for becomes mine.

Williams then announced Math and Physics Professor Bruce Armbrust as Teacher of the Year, an award voted on by the students. "He goes the extra mile for his students," said Williams. Armbrust was awarded $1,000, $500 for his personal use and $500 in his name went to the school.

South Lake Tahoe dentist Dr. Deanna Brothers was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award during the festivities. She led the audience on a travel of her life from 1969 when her family moved to South Lake Tahoe, to graduating from LTCC in 1980 before going to Cal State Sacramento and University of Pacific. Brothers then brought her dental degree back to the South Shore where she had a practice for 30 years.

"I strongly believe in the power of education," said Dr. Brothers as she recalled obstacles and challenges in following her dreams.

William Twumasi, a 2017 LTCC graduate from Ireland, told his fellow students to "take risks and surround yourself with positive people."

"Be the best version of yourself, look for opportunities and invest in yourself," said Twumasi. "Your future doesn't get better by hope, it gets better with a plan and hard work."

Anderson, one who also knows what hard work can bring you, was awarded an honorary degree from LTCC. DeFranco called her the "Epitome of Awesomeness" as he wished her well in the 2018 Olympics in South Korea.

"Its been a ride," said Anderson. She told the students that she had never felt so much pressure as she did on her final run in her first Olympics in 2014. "My sister told me to take a moment and breathe," she said. Jamie said as she stood on the top of the run she told herself to "do it for everyone who had supported me" and that calmed her to earn a gold medal in Sochi.

"Don't worry about the hard times," said Anderson. "Live for now, and enjoy!"

The equation for success DeFranco said was Passion + Purpose = Success. "Find your own Gold Medal," he said.