Estrella Mountain Community College's Southwest Skill Center will celebrate the accomplishments of 156 students at its completion ceremony to be held Friday, March 6, 2009 at the college in the Ceremonial Plaza, located at 3000 N. Dysart Road in Avondale. The ceremony will begin at 4:00 p.m. and will honor students completing certificates in a variety of areas.
Licette Valenzuela will be one of the first SouthWest Skill Center students to celebrate the completion of a Spanish Medical Interpreter Certificate at the ceremony on March 6. The 12-week program began in November and Valenzuela, a receptionist at the SouthWest Skill Center, saw an opportunity to boost her resume. "When the Spanish Medical Interpreter Program started here at the SouthWest Skill Center, I thought it would be a great starting point for my career," she said. She plans to eventually become a nurse and wanted to be prepared to be able to practice in both Spanish and English. "As a Spanish speaker, I'd be able to interpret for families in a medical situation." A near-fatal car accident involving her family made Valenzuela want to help Spanish-speaking patients who might otherwise not be able to communicate with their care providers. She plans to continue her education at the SouthWest Skill Center by starting either the Medical Assistant or Nurse Assistant Program.
For more information about the SouthWest Skill Center, please call 623-535-2700.