West Hills College Lemoore graduated a record 800 students this year, with 345 taking the time to walk the stage Thursday night during commencement ceremonies at the Golden Eagle Arena.
With the record number of graduates came a record number of family and friends attending the ceremony. With the Golden Eagle Arena filled to near capacity, the school opened up the student union to seat the overflow crowd.
Those in the student union watched the graduation via a live stream on a big screen monitor. The ceremony was also streamed online on the college facebook page.
Photos: West Hills College Lemoore graduates record 800 students
Graduates wave and blow kisses to their families as they enter the arena for the ceremony.
Faculty applaud the new graduates outside after the ceremony.
Steven Johnson motions his service dog Flynn to sit as the graduation ceremony at West Hills College Lemoore gets under way Thursday night.
At the end of the ceremony administrators and faculty, including President James Preston, left, and College District Chancellor Kristin Clark, right, gave the new graduates high fives as they exited the arena, then formed two lines outside to applaud the graduates as they left the arena to greet their family and friends.
The overflow crowd of 100 people watch the ceremony on a big screen television monitor at the West Hills College Lemoore student union.
Honorary Speaker, local TikTok influencer Leo Gonzales, speaks to the graduates about his time at West Hills College Lemoore.
Graduates and guests make their way to the Golden Eagle Arena before the start of the ceremony on Thursday evening.