Butte College's Class of 2024 comes to us from 14 countries, 14 states, and more than 131 cities and towns in California. They represent a diverse group of graduates ranging from 18 to 65 years old. These are just a fraction of those stories.
Florence IvesAlex Sanchez IVANIA PEÑADarius MarmolRYAN COTTONMacie Dentone
Florence IvesFlorence Ives, a transfer student heading to UC Santa Cruz, has a deep connection to their roots and community. Born and raised on unceded Mechoopda land, now known as Chico, Florence grew up near the ancestral village of the Mikćapdo, surrounded by the natural beauty of the land and waterways. Their family's journey to this area began in 1881 when their great-grandfather immigrated from Castleblayney, Ireland. "I grew up blessed to be around the beauty of this land and the waterways we are so lucky to have here," Florence reflects.
Choosing Butte College was a transformative decision for Florence, particularly influenced by their experience in the theatre arts department. In 2018, they earned their first leading role in "Much Ado About Nothing," which ignited their passion for community engagement and social justice through artistic expression. Despite initial academic struggles, Florence found unwavering support from instructors like Sara Smallhouse, who told them, “It’s okay to fail. Try again when you’re ready.” This encouragement helped Florence overcome their self-doubt and persist in their studies. Additionally, mental health counselor Hannah Horowitz provided Florence with vital support and connections to the community.
Looking ahead, Florence is excited to transfer to UC Santa Cruz, where they plan to earn a bachelor's degree in arts and pursue a master's degree in education, democracy, and justice. Their goal is to become a teacher, inspired by the interconnectedness and activism they witnessed at Butte College and anticipates at UC Santa Cruz. "I have seen the possibility of that [interconnectedness] respect already at Butte College in the way many staff members interact with one another, the lifesaving resources we have at the Student Health clinic and Roadrunner Hub, the sustainability initiatives that Butte College strives towards, and in the community spaces we have like the Queer Resource Center, the BLAC Center, Native American Center, and Cultural Community Center. " Florence shares, expressing hope for the future.
At 33 years old, Alex Sanchez is the first person in his family to graduate from college. To reach that milestone, he had to break from a cycle of incarceration and addiction and find his purpose.
Alex grew up in Chico, CA, and describes his early life there as hectic. “People around me were getting hurt,” he remembers. “That was my reality.” He found himself getting drawn in with the wrong crowd — an older crowd that he was eager to fit in with.
He had his first run in with the law at 13 and by 14 he was incarcerated but determined to turn his life around. He completed his high school education at Rite of Passage, a residential high school for students in the juvenile court system. “I finished one year early,” he said proudly. After completing high school, he returned to Chico and attempted to enroll at Butte College but was unsuccessful. He got a job instead at Chico Nut but soon found himself falling back in with the same friends he had before his arrest. He cycled through several jobs and was arrested twice. By 23 he was sentenced to eight years in prison for assault.
He began taking Cerro Coso Community College classes while serving his eight-year sentence at California City Correctional Facility. “Until then, prison had been my school,” he said. “If it weren’t for the college that taught in prison I would not be here.” After his release in 2019, Ms. Stevens at Cerro Coso helped him enroll at Butte College soon after he got connected with the Rising Scholars program and began receiving support through the program. His time here hasn’t been without challenges, the pandemic and balancing work and fatherhood caused him to withdraw some semesters. However, his perseverance and the support from the college helped him finish.
This May, he graduated with two associate degrees — an accomplishment that he describes as bittersweet. “College is a safe space,” he said. “I'm comfortable here. Before you arrived, I was resting there,” he continued while pointing toward the couch in the Rising Scholars Center. The world outside of Butte College hasn’t always been as safe or comfortable for Alex, but he’s ready to face it.
As he looks ahead, he plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in archeology or a related field and return to his love of music and music production. Whether he pursues an advanced degree or focuses on music and community work, he wants to make a meaningful contribution to the world. He’s learned that the hecticness and chaos of his earlier life don’t define him and is ready to serve as an example and inspiration to people like him. “I want to help inspire my culture.”
Ivania PeñaIn the bustling halls of Butte College’s Allied Health building, there's a story that resonates with grit and determination— it's Ivania Peña's. Graduating with an associate degree in respiratory therapy, Ivania's path to success has been marked by challenges overcome and dreams realized. Originally from El Salvador, Ivania's early years were shaped by the trials of migration and adaptation. Raised by her grandparents after her mother emigrated to the United States, she finally secured the proper documentation to move to the United States at the age of 20 to pursue a brighter future.
Her studies at Butte College began in 2012 with ESL classes before she moved on to general education and prerequisite courses. She knew all along she wanted to work in the medical field and make a difference in patients’ lives.
Driven by this passion, Ivania earned her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate and began working at Enloe Hospital. Her experiences at Enloe Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic were pivotal, as she witnessed the vital role of respiratory therapists in saving lives and providing compassionate care to patients in need. Inspired by the dedication of these respiratory technicians, Ivania pursued her respiratory therapist degree at Butte College in 2022. Despite facing numerous challenges, including raising a special needs child and juggling work commitments, Ivania remained steadfast in pursuing her goals. She remembered how her mom and grandparents taught her early on to be resilient and to advocate for herself. She credits her husband, Oscar, along with her instructors Gina Maclean and Donna Davis, she persevered, demonstrating remarkable resilience and dedication.
Ivania graduated this May and will begin working at Vibra Hospitals of Northern California. She participated in a mock interview exercise as part of her class and impressed the recruiters so much, that they offered her a position upon graduating. As she looks forward to her career, Ivania is determined to make a difference for her patients and mentor future RT students. She hopes to one day become an instructor in her field.
Reflecting on her journey, Ivania shares words of wisdom for those facing adversity: "You are going to find a way to do it if you have determination. Don't be afraid to ask. Don't be afraid to look for resources. Talk to people. Advocate for yourself."
Darius Marmol"I'm a foster youth student, so I spent a lot of time moving around when I was younger," reflects Darius Marmol as he looks back at his educational journey and how far he has come. "Being a system-impacted student, I had a lot of barriers to my education."
Fast forward to 2024, and Darius will graduate from Butte College with honors. As a student, he maintained a high GPA, was a Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member, and made significant contributions to The Roadrunner newspaper as a staff writer and section editor. His dedication led to a fellowship grant, which he used to archive historical documents of the newspaper, uncovering its origins dating back to the 1960s. This project and the breakout piece he authored opened doors for an internship at KZFR 90.1, where he now records and writes weekly news updates for Northern California.
Darius has faced his share of challenges. Initially dropping out of high school, he later realized the importance of education for achieving his goals. After returning to school and earning his high school diploma independently, he enrolled at Butte College to pursue a journalism degree with a dream of becoming a documentary filmmaker.
Reflecting on his journey, Darius credits the support he received from several key individuals at Butte College. Kelly Fredericks, the journalism department chair, was instrumental in honing his writing skills and securing internships. Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS) counselor Kia Vang guided him through the complexities of financial aid and course scheduling, connecting him with resources like Inspiring Scholars. Vance Edwards helped secure financial grants critical for his full-time studies, and transfer counselor John Soldate provided the encouragement needed to overcome imposter syndrome and envision a future in higher education.
Looking ahead, Darius will transfer to Chico State University through Butte College's guaranteed transfer agreement to pursue his bachelor's degree in journalism, aiming to complete it in just over a year. He aspires to work for NPR, engaging in serious reporting and journalism. His ultimate goal is to return to the community college setting as an educator, providing the same high level of support and inspiration that he received at Butte College. "I want to eventually get the best master's degree from the most accredited institution I can," he concluded. "I really want to take that knowledge once I've been in the industry and I have that master's degree, and I can come back somewhere like this and give it to students that really need it."
Ryan CottonRyan Cotton grew up in Palm Springs, California. He has attended Butte College since the fall of 2022, and this May, he is earning an Associate of Arts Degree for Transfer in Music.
During his time at Butte, Ryan has demonstrated his abilities as an accomplished musician in multiple ensembles and performance settings as a soloist and section musician. He has played French horn, trumpet and guitar; sung; and composed for the Butte College Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Pop Band, and composition course. Additionally, he has performed as a solo musician at many Butte College events. After graduating, Ryan will transfer to California State University, Northridge, to pursue a degree in music industry studies with a minor in data science. Ryan wants to find a career that utilizes his passion for music while also supporting his family back home.
Ryan’s professors praise his dedication, determination, and kindness on top of his outstanding musicality, and they are tremendously proud of his accomplishments and future success!
Macie DentoneButte College's mission is to provide high-quality, accessible education and support, which is what attracted Macie to apply. Hailing from the rolling hills of Plymouth, a small, rural town in the heart of Amador County, Macie knew she wanted to pursue a career in agriculture. Raised on a cattle ranch, her foundation provided her with a lifelong connection with the land and various animals. Her upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for hard work, resilience, and the beauty of rural life.
When the time came to chart her educational path, Macie's choice was clear: Butte College beckoned with its promise of financial aid and unwavering support through the Butte Promise Program. Macie shared, “I chose Butte College because of the financial aid and the support that they have here especially with the Promise Program, along with the agriculture department. That really stood out to me and is definitely a specific aspect of why I wanted to go to Butte.” Along with the financial assistance and generous Promise Program, and the diverse array of business and certificate programs, the seamless transfer agreement with Chico State sealed the deal for Macie.
Here, she found not only high-quality education but also a supportive environment that nurtured her curiosity and critical thinking skills. The college's commitment to providing accessible education and support ensured that Macie could pursue her academic and career aspirations without barriers.
Her decision found affirmation in her early days at Butte. “When I first came here, all of the professors were super welcoming,” said Macie. She found herself enveloped in a community that fostered growth and belonging. One particular mentor, Jacob Vasquez, an esteemed agriculture business instructor, became instrumental in shaping her Butte College experience. His dedication to student success and his passion for cultivating talent propelled Macie forward, igniting her passion for leadership and skill development.
Armed with a wealth of knowledge gained from her time here, Macie plans to attend Chico State to pursue a bachelor's degree in agriculture business. Beyond that lies the possibility of law school, where she plans to delve into agricultural policy. Another possibility is to begin lobbying and working with policymakers to champion the rights and interests of agricultural communities. The networking opportunities, interview contests, and public speaking engagements she embraced at Butte College will serve as pillars in her future endeavors, guiding her as she navigates the path ahead.
Butte College
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Oroville, CA 95965
Content editor:
Christian Gutierrez
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