GONZALES — Valeria Beltran, a 17-year-old dual-enrollment student from Gonzales, is the youngest graduate in Hartnell College’s Class of 2026, earning an Associate of Arts degree in general studies with summa cum laude honors while still in high school.
Beltran is among more than 2,347 students who petitioned to graduate from Hartnell College this year, the largest graduating class in the institution’s 105-year history, according to the Hartnell Community College District.
More than 2,120 degrees and 1,460 certificates of achievement were awarded during the May 22 commencement at Rabobank Stadium in Salinas. Hartnell also awarded its first bachelor’s degrees in respiratory care, with seven students earning the historic degree.
“For the first time in Hartnell’s history, we are celebrating graduates earning bachelor’s degrees, marking a significant milestone for our institution,” said Hartnell Superintendent/President Michael Gutierrez. “This commencement represents achievement, opportunity and the impact community colleges have in our communities.”
Among this year’s other milestones, 65 valedictorians earned a perfect 4.0 GPA and 1,013 students graduated with honors. While Beltran was the youngest graduate at 17, Hartnell’s oldest graduates were both 67 years old.
Beltran will also graduate from Gonzales High School during commencement at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, at Dick Force Stadium.
A leader on campus and in her community, Beltran has served as vice president of Gonzales FFA, treasurer for the Monterey Bay Section FFA and class president for the Gonzales High School Class of 2026. She began her involvement in FFA her freshman year after being encouraged by former students to compete in “Opening and Closing” events, an experience that led to participation in public speaking competitions and statewide conferences.
In 2025, she received the Salinas Valley Fair Heritage Foundation Scholarship in recognition of her academic achievement and leadership in agriculture. Beltran is interested in agricultural business and plans to pursue that field at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in fall 2026.
