There have been a lot of graduations this week (and commencements, and culminations) and they have a lot in common; robes and motorboards, proud families, diplomas, flowers and applause. The Culver City Unified Adult School ceremony was unique; on June 11, 2026, at 6 pm, just over a dozen people sat on the stage at the Robert Frost Auditorium, and were credited for the certificates they earned, the diplomas they now possessed, and the years it had taken to get there.
Adult School Principal Dr. Paul Karaiakoubian thanked the elected officials and dignitaries in attendance, and offered that it was his first ceremony since taking the position. “It is truly an honor to celebrate alongside such an inspiring group of students, families, staff and community members.”
Adult School does much more than award high school equivalency for adults who missed the chance to complete that chapter of their education when they were younger; English as a Second Language certificates, professional certification in medical billing and coding, and even United States Citizenship. There were success stories in every category, and the applause for each came from friends and families there to support.
School Board President Stephanie Loredo spoke to the crowd, offering that “Today we celebrate your accomplishments. I always look forward to this ceremony, it’s often very emotional, because your success is hard fought. Our journey is not always a direct path to success…some times, it’s a much more winding road. I commend you on your curiosity and your tenacity.Yours stories of perseverance and resilience are inspiring. Being a lifelong learner can change your life for the better. I also want to thank you for trusting us with your education goals, it’s an honor to be part of your journey. Congratulations to all of you.”
The students who spoke to the gathering told tales that were both heartbreaking and heartfelt; Ricardo Ascencio spoke of being orphaned when he was three, immigrating form El Salvador to the U.S., and returning to school as an adult to accomplish what had eluded him as a teenager. Patricia Parker told her story of being in a wheelchair, a doctor telling her she would never walk again – proving him wrong, and finding her feet on the path to her diploma. Blythe Edwards even ignored her notes, and said she would “speak from her heart,” narrating a life filled with challenges, and crowned with the accomplishment of earning her diploma.
Scholarships were awarded from both the Culver City Rotary Club and the Culver City Education Foundation.
CCUSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alfonso Jimenez gave the confirmation, and graduates moved their white tassels from one side of the blue mortarboard hats to the other, the ritual of graduation fulfilled.
The event was made even more celebratory by the Culver City Adult School Band, made up of both students and staff, playing together with talent, skill and heart.
Karaiakoubian was sincere in telling his graduating class, “We are immensely proud of all of you.”
Judith Martin-Straw
Photo credit Brian Guerrero
