Northern Celebrates 48 HEP and AE Graduates

Northern New Mexico College celebrated perseverance, courage, and new beginnings during the 2026 High School Equivalency Graduation Ceremony, honoring 48 graduates whose journeys to graduation reflected resilience in the face of adversity and the power of education to transform lives.

Held on May 13, the ceremony welcomed graduates, families, friends, faculty, mentors, and community supporters to celebrate students who earned their high school equivalency credentials through Northern’s High School Equivalency Program (HEP) and Adult Education Program. Throughout the evening, speakers reflected on sacrifice, determination, family support, and the importance of continuing forward even when life takes unexpected turns.

The ceremony opened with the Presentation of Colors by the Española Valley High School Army Junior ROTC Color Guard. Guests then remained standing for the invocation delivered by Gilberto Cano Gutierrez, a local pastor and graduate of both the HEP and Adult Education programs. In his blessing, Gutierrez acknowledged the hard work and sacrifices that brought graduates to this moment while offering prayers for strength and guidance in the chapters ahead.

“Today did not begin today,” Gutierrez said during the invocation. “It began with the hard work, sacrifices, and perseverance of each student.”

Alejandra Jaramillo, Director of Northern’s HEP High School Equivalency Program, welcomed attendees and reflected on the significance of the evening.

“Thank you all for joining us this evening to celebrate the accomplishments of our incredible graduates,” Jaramillo said. “It is truly an exciting time for all of us as we honor their hard work, determination, and perseverance.”

Jaramillo also introduced distinguished guests in attendance, including Northern New Mexico College President Hector Balderas, Adult Education Program Director Cecilia Romero, Dr. Katya Backhaus, Board of Regents President Michael Martin, and Student Regent Dolores Gurule.

Adult Education Program Director Cecilia Romero spoke about the impact of adult education and the strength demonstrated by students who returned to the classroom while balancing careers, family responsibilities, and personal challenges.

“At Northern New Mexico College, the Adult Education Program believes education transforms families, strengthens communities, and opens doors that once felt out of reach,” Romero said.

She emphasized that many graduates pursued their diplomas while working, caring for loved ones, and navigating difficult life circumstances.

“Their accomplishments reflect the heart of Northern New Mexico College’s mission: to uplift our region through opportunity, empowerment, and lifelong learning,” she said.

During her remarks, Romero also recognized the dedicated staff and instructors who supported students throughout their educational journeys, including Sandy Sanchez, Kristen Martinez, Karyne Archuleta, and Integrated Education and Training instructors specializing in fields such as phlebotomy, electrical trades, nursing, and wildland firefighting.

Jaramillo later introduced the HEP Program staff and instructors, recognizing Karyne Archuleta, Leonard Leyba, and Connie Manzanares for their dedication to student success. She also thanked the facilities crew, security, IT team, photographers, volunteers, and staff members who worked behind the scenes to make the ceremony possible.

President Balderas delivered the evening’s welcome address, grounding his remarks in the significance of the moment.

“It is now 5:20 in the afternoon,” Balderas said. “And the reason I mention this exact moment in time is that life is often made up of moments — and this is one of those special moments.”

Balderas acknowledged the sacrifices made not only by graduates but also by the families, teachers, and supporters who stood beside them throughout their journeys.

“You are an important part of this moment because our students would not be here without you,” he said. “To all of you who changed schedules, made sacrifices, and stood beside these graduates — thank you.”

He described the HEP and Adult Education programs as “among the brightest spots” at the college and praised students for their courage and determination.

“Not everyone has the same path to success,” Balderas said. “Sometimes life becomes difficult. Sometimes people face adversity. Sometimes the road changes direction. But what matters is continuing forward.”

Balderas reminded graduates that Northern New Mexico College would always remain a place they could call home.

“Some of you will continue your education. Some of you will pursue careers and new opportunities. But no matter where life takes you, remember this: Northern New Mexico College is your home. You are family here.”

The evening’s keynote address was delivered by Dr. Backhaus, whose personal and professional journey deeply resonated with graduates and their families. Born in Moscow, Backhaus immigrated to the United States with her parents and later earned degrees in physics from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of California, Berkeley before dedicating part of her career to adult education in New Mexico. Former NM HSE Data Examiner She now serves as an AI specialist at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Backhaus reflected on her own experience arriving in the United States without knowing English and navigating uncertainty while building a future.

“I didn’t need to have the entire path figured out to move forward,” she said. “I just needed to take the next step. And then the next one. And then never stop.”

She spoke about the unique strength of adult learners and students whose paths to graduation were not linear.

“This is not your typical graduation,” Backhaus said. “Many graduations celebrate a straight path. But this is something very different. In many ways, this is even more powerful.”

Drawing from her experience working in adult education classrooms across New Mexico, Backhaus shared stories of students attending classes after long workdays, parents completing homework late at night, and individuals questioning whether they were capable of succeeding.

“But I’ve also seen persistence. Courage. Strength,” she said. “I’ve seen people show up again and again — even when life was hard, complicated, and exhausting.”

Backhaus encouraged graduates to recognize the significance of what they had accomplished.

“You proved that you can do hard things,” she said. “You proved that even when the path is not straight, you can still move forward.”

The ceremony also featured two student speakers who shared deeply personal reflections on their educational journeys and the challenges they overcame to reach graduation day.

HEP graduate Zachary J. Lopez spoke candidly about his struggles with substance abuse and self-doubt after dropping out of high school during his sophomore year.

“There was a time in my life when I was at my lowest,” Lopez said. “I regretted my choices and doubted my future. I felt lost because I didn’t know what was ahead of me.”

Lopez described how entering the HEP Program gave him a renewed sense of hope and belonging.

“When I walked into the program on the first day, I realized how welcoming and supportive everyone was,” he said. “It felt like I had another chance.”

Although he faced academic and personal challenges throughout the year, Lopez said the experience taught him resilience.

“Showing up every day proved to me that I could push through hard things,” he said. “Completing the HEP Program is just the beginning.”

Adult Education graduate Jasiah I. Sanchez of Chimayó shared how he left high school during his junior year to help care for his mother after her health declined.

“My journey to this moment was not straightforward,” Sanchez said. “I withdrew from Española Valley High School during my junior year — not because I lacked ability, but because my family needed me.”

Sanchez recalled a quiet evening at home when exhaustion and uncertainty nearly caused him to give up.

“I began wondering if I had fallen too far behind,” he said. “But in that moment, I realized something: even if progress was slow, I could not give up.”

He later enrolled in Northern’s Adult Education Program in October 2025 and credited his family, instructors, advisors, and mentors for helping him succeed.

“Success is not about where you start,” Sanchez told his fellow graduates. “It is about how you continue.”

As the ceremony neared its conclusion, Jaramillo presented the graduating class to President Balderas and the Northern New Mexico College Board of Regents.

Balderas officially conferred the High School Equivalency credentials upon the 48 graduates gathered for the ceremony.

“By the authority vested in me by the Northern New Mexico College Board of Regents, and with certification from the Chief High School Equivalency Examiner, it is my honor to award you your High School Equivalency Credential with all the rights and privileges that come with it,” Balderas said.

Following the conferral of credentials, graduates participated in the ceremonial turning of the tassels, symbolizing the completion of one chapter and the beginning of another.

Before concluding the ceremony, Jaramillo offered graduates one final message of encouragement.

“Do not stay stagnant. Keep moving forward,” she said. “Do not be afraid to dream big. Do not question your ability. And do not be embarrassed to fail. Just remember to get back up, dust yourselves off, and try again.”

As cheers filled the room and graduates celebrated with loved ones, the evening served as a powerful reminder that education is not defined by a timeline, but by resilience, determination, and the courage to begin again.