Student overcomes hurdle to earn degree

CLOVIS — Family and friends of Clovis Community College's 429 graduates packed the Clovis Civic Center on Friday night to celebrate the degrees and certificates earned by CCC students over the past school year.

During his commencement address Rep. George Dodge encouraged the graduates to make the most of the chances they are given in life.

"You make sure that when it's all said and done ... make sure you're sitting on your back porch and you're not saying, 'I should have done this, I could have done that,'" Dodge said. "You have the opportunity of a lifetime right here, right now; take advantage of it."

CCC graduate Kaori Porter completely embodies that philosophy. Porter said she came to Clovis in July 2009 from Okinawa, Japan when her late-husband was stationed at Cannon Air Force Base.

At that time Porter said she did not know English and now about nine years later, she's earned an associate of applied science degree in radiologic technology.

"You know I waited for a couple years now so I'm really happy and I'm excited and I'm nervous at the same time, but it's a good nervous I guess," Porter said of her achievement.

Porter said learning English with the help of her instructors, peers and some movies and TV shows along the way was probably the biggest challenge she faced at CCC.

"I overcame my language issue and I was shy so with that I guess I just had to get out of my comfort zone, that was probably the hardest thing for me," Porter. "I was afraid if I could keep up with everybody but I made it, I did it."

After earning her GED in 2014, Porter set her sights on radiologic technology so she could help people.

"When I joined this program I didn't really know what to expect and I was scared of the unknown," Porter said. "I love helping others so I wanted to do something that helped people, knowing that your X-ray, your picture is helping doctors and helping patients."

The most valuable thing Porter learned wasn't really in a textbook.

"I would say friendship, they help me a lot," Porter said. "And I'm grateful for my mentors, some of the teachers I've met, I look up to them."

Porter was joined at Friday's ceremony by husband Jamerah Porter and sister-in-law Jasmine Porter, along with Porter's mother Yoshimi Shingaki and sister Mayumi Shingaki. Her mother and sister traveled from Japan for the occasion.

"It was perfect," Porter said. "It means so much to me and I'm glad they were able to make it."

Porter said she is scheduled to take her national board exam in a few weeks and then, hopefully, find a job.

"That'll be dream come true," Porter said.