While many roads in life lead to quick destinations such as a friend's house, the mall or even mom's home cooking, the road traveled to graduation can be a bit complex.

Friends and family will be gathering for this year's Palo Alto College graduation on Thursday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Auditorium. Over 800 applicants for graduation were reviewed and 406 combined December 2009 and May 2010 graduates are walking the stage.

Graduates may be preparing for the ceremony by reflecting on their accomplishments and getting ready to transfer to a university to continue their academic success.

Many of these accomplishments would not have been possible without family support, self-determination and peer encouragement.

"To cross that stage, it would not be only for me, but for my grandchild, for my son. That 'Hey! Grandma did it!'" said Dolores C. Hernandez, a proud 62-years-young sophomore Bilingual Education major, who will be accepting her first associate's degree at this year's commencement ceremony.

At age nine, Hernandez taught her father how to read and write. "That was my first little job," she explained. Hernandez later became a teacher's aide for the Edgewood Independent School District.

After the passing of her first husband of 26 years and a turbulent six-year marriage to her second husband, she decided she would go to school and earn her degree as a way of healing.

"I'm growing feathers, and I'm going to fly!" she warned her ex-husband at the time.

Getting her education has kept her busy and has strengthened her determination and willingness to learn. This is a trait she claims she acquired from her father.

With her strongest support coming from her only son who encouraged her to return to school, Hernandez likes to encourage struggling women.

"Have a plan. Work on a plan…prepare yourself. Because when the time comes you can say 'I've got my degree and bye-bye'…learn to be standing on your own."

Hernandez plans to teach English as a Second Language after she completes her bachelor's degree at Texas A & M-San Antonio.

Students who face hardship early in life don't always have the opportunity to finish high school, much less accomplish a college degree.

Abel Gonzales, director of the Gateway program on campus, sees at-risk students who are steps away from becoming a statistic. Many want a second chance for an education.

"Providing them this opportunity is, for the most part, their last opportunity, their last chance of ever finding success, at least down the academic road," Gonzales said.

The Gateway program, started in fall of 2005, helps students between the ages of 16 and 24 who are serious about their education, want to receive their high school diploma and earn college credits for a degree. All students in the Gateway program are under full scholarship provided by the students' home high school.

This year, the Gateway program will have 30 candidates for the graduation ceremony.

"That's an all-time high we've never had…." Gonzales said, adding that previous graduates have a sense of pride that they were able to succeed in their academic career.

Joseph Friel Jr., a senior from Southwest High School and May 2010 graduate, left high school to help support his mother financially.

"It's more for my family. I want to let them see that I've done it…to be proud of me," Friel said of his accomplishments.

Jessica Randall of Somerset High School, a sophomore Psychology major and Gateway Ambassador who encourages other Gateway students to succeed, said, "Gateway has matured me… I'm way more organized."

When Janelle Cantu, a sophomore from Highlands High School who is majoring in Communications, decided to enter the program, her high school teacher said, "You're smart, but you're not ready for college…you're just going to go over there and you're going to come back."

Despite this negativity, Cantu remains very determined and dedicated to her education.

Another struggle toward graduation is advisement. Sonia L. Garcia, academic adviser, cannot stress its importance enough.

"You have to come see an adviser. You're paying for us to be here. We're here to help you. We're here to give you advice on transferring. We're here to give you advice on how to graduate. We're going to give advice about careers…it's important to come by and ask questions," said Garcia, whose office is in the Center for Academic Transitions.

Students who think their education goals are unreachable, fail to see the endless opportunities available on campus.

The destination to graduation may not always be an easy road to travel, but the arrival is worth the hardship.

For more information, call the Center for Academic Transitions at (210) 486-3131.