C. Candy Camarena

Attorney

C. Candy Camarena’s determination and consistent efforts to achieve success have firmly established his solid reputation as an attorney and community benefactor.   Camarena has been instrumental in the development and sponsorship of the La Cosecha Banquet at Arizona Western College.  At the La Cosecha Banquet, graduates from all walks of life are recognized for their perseverance in attaining an Associate’s degree, many times in the face of obstacles.  Students are encouraged to transfer to a university to continue their studies toward bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees and to return to this community as professionals.  Over the years, Camarena has planted the seed to raise funds for over 250 scholarships and has made it possible for over 1700 graduates and their families to be recognized at the La Cosecha Harvest Dinner event.  Camarena’s other philanthropic efforts include Gethsemani Food Ministries, Crossroads Rescue Mission, Amberly’s Place, and Young Life.  Because of his own journey, overcoming obstacles to achieve his dream, Camarena resembles many AWC graduates.  He recently celebrated his 25th year of practicing both civil and criminal law in Yuma courtrooms.  Camarena says, “I learned early to work hard to sustain myself, but also to accept help when I needed it, and to help whenever someone else needed it.”

Magnolia Alonzo

Adult Education Program Coordinator, Somerton School District

My name is Magnolia Alonzo and I would like to share a little of who I am and why education has always been important in my life.  I presently work as Adult Education Program Coordinator for the Somerton School District and have been in this position for the past three years.  Prior to this, I was an elementary teacher for twelve years in the same school district.  My job now is different because it involves teaching adults as opposed to children; still, the love of teaching, guiding and advising others is the motivation of my profession.

I currently hold a Masters in School Counseling and a Bachelors in Elementary Education with a dual minor in Bilingual Education and Childhood Development.  Getting to this point in my education was not easy as it took lots of sacrifice and commitment.  As I decided to get married and start a family at an early age, barriers to complete my studies came along, yet I still had the desire to fulfill my career dreams and goals.

Both my husband and I had the same ambitions in life; we knew if we wanted to raise a family and live a confortable life, we would have to make sacrifices, nonetheless it would all workout in the end.  It is for this reason I knew attending Arizona Western College was going to be the best choice of school.  I was able to complete my Associate’s Degree along with all childhood development and introduction to education classes; which in turn prepared me to transfer my studies for my Bachelor and Master Programs.  For both my husband and I attending AWC was the push we needed to help us realize our education would not end there, rather it was only the beginning of a few more years to come.    

I always knew I wanted to be a teacher and a school counselor; but I never imagined I could do both acting as a coordinator of an educational institution.  I always struggled with the idea of exercising both jobs, as I have a passion for educating and counseling people.  Now I am part of the education and guidance of adults who will in turn go home and pass on to their children the importance of education, attaining a career and presenting a better future for their family and community.  As a leader in education, I am able to transfer this passion of education to my adult learners by supporting them and guiding them to find their career path.  I am able to do this with the help and support of my AWC partners and guidance advisers.  It is for this reason that education is and will always be a key component in my profession and in my family.

I believe if we educate our-selves, not only academically, but also in our values, self-expectations, motivations and priorities, we will help our children to grow and become outstanding adults and their minds set in what they want to become in life.  It is never too late to pursue an education and attain a career, especially having AWC as a starting point and great support in our education.

Honorable Juan Manuel Guerrero

Judge

Judge Guerrero joined the U. S. Navy and served ten years as a Navy Hospital Corpsman with the 1st Marine Division Camp Pendleton, California and the Marine Corp Base, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

After his military service, Judge Guerrero returned to Yuma and joined the Yuma County Sheriff’s Department where he served the community as a Patrol Deputy and a Narcotics Detective. He has also served as a Patrol Commander for the Cocopah Tribal Police Department. Judge Guerrero has further served as a criminal investigator for the State of Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections Internal Affairs Division and the Executive Director with the Tribal Gaming Commission. Judge Guerrero has been a Law Enforcement Instructor for the AWC Police Academy and a State Certified Private Investigator.

In addition to his extensive background in law enforcement at the State and Federal levels. In 2008, he was recognized as ‘One of the Ten Most Influential Hispanics of Yuma County’ and was nominated for the ‘Heart of Yuma for Outstanding Leadership’ award.

Judge Guerrero was elected on November 4, 2014, as Justice of the Peace, Precinct #2, and took office on January 1, 2015.

Lynne Pancrazi

Yuma County Board of Supervisors District 5

Lynne Pancrazi has helped to change the face of education in Yuma and Arizona for the better. She did this through her work as an elected member of the Arizona House of Representatives (2007–2013) and the Arizona Senate (2013–2017), where she influenced legislation and policy at the state level and beyond on issues related to education, natural resources, public safety, and budget. She’s also known for her dedication to a safe and secure border, managed growth, adequate infrastructure and rural community issues. A product of Yuma public schools, Pancrazi spent 28 years as a teacher, instructor and athletic coach in Yuma Elementary School District One. She studied Criminal Justice at Arizona Western College and received her bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Point Loma Nazarene College. Pancrazi also received her master’s degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. She currently serves District 5 on the Yuma County Board of Supervisors after being elected to the position in 2016.

AWC Distinguished Alumni

Felipe Covarrubias & Eva Aviles

Felipe currently works at AWC with the AccessABILITY and Health & Wellness.  He graduated at the top of his class HUMINT Interrogation Military Intelligence.  As a fellow veteran, he has helped many students at AWC by being a peer mentor.

Eva has been working for the KEYS Program for over a decade.  She is a great advisor who continuously motivates students to reach their maximum potential.  Eva has volunteered with the Arizona chapter of WESTOP, a non-profit dedicated to educational equity, as chair of their statewide Student Leadership Conference.