There were nights when Erica Hernández didn't know if she'd be able to do it. The 22-year-old, who will get her associate degree in respiratory therapy from Santa Fe Community College this week, had to weave in studying with raising two kids — ages 3 and 7 — and being a wife.

"There are definitely those days where you want to throw in the towel," said Hernández, a graduate of the SER Career Academy. "It gets really difficult when there are exams to study for, millions of pages to read and the kids are there."

She said she was "very lucky" to get help from her husband, Zack Hernández, and her parents, Leo and Abby Leyba.

"It was hard, but it's worth it," Hernández said.

After graduation, Hernández and her family have plans to move to Texas, where her husband's family lives.

"I'm going to see if I can get into a bigger hospital," Hernández said, adding that though she doesn't have any solid employment plans yet, she's confident she will get a job because of her training at SFCC.

"There are only 10 students in your class and you get a lot of interaction with the teachers," Hernández noted, adding that one teacher in particular was extremely helpful. "We have Ron Tabor, who is the lead instructor, and he teaches us almost everything. He is amazing. He's one of those people that when you meet, you can tell that they truly care for the patient. He tries to teach us how to be like that."

Hernández said she hopes her accomplishments will inspire her two sons — Jeremy, 7, and Jordan, 3 — to stay motivated in school.

"Definitely I want my kids to take from this that it's possible," Hernández said. "You can do it when you set your mind to something. If you pursue it, you can make it happen."

For Paul Duran, one of the student commencement speakers, an associate degree in general studies with an emphasis on history is just the beginning of his journey. The Albuquerque native and Marine Corps veteran (who served three tours of duty overseas, two in Iraq and one on the Eastern China Sea) has already registered for his fall classes at The University of New Mexico and plans to pursue his master's degree once he's finished his bachelor's.

"The classes here are inexpensive," Duran said, adding that he couldn't resist taking some classes at a "reasonable"
$30 per credit hour. Though the price was right, Duran also added that "I enjoy learning. I enjoy all the different facets of history, and it's a lot of fun learning them."

Duran, 25, said his ultimate goal is to teach college-level history.

For Duran, the challenges of his schooling were in the readjustment to civilian life, he said.

"That was new for me and that was kind of tough," Duran said. He said that though he faced some challenges in his math class, the college never failed him, providing him with tutors.

"Most of my instructors have doctorate degrees and they're great," Duran explained. "If you're not learning, they'll give you time one-on-one. I think the advisers here are top-notch. I think this school has a lot to offer."

In his speech to his fellow graduates, which together make up the largest graduating class at SFCC, Duran will talk about his experience and how education provides one with the key to success in life.

The second student speaker is Maxwell Barnett, 21, an Albuquerque native who commutes on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express. He will receive his associate degree in applied science, then spend his summer in France to study the French language.

Famed author, poet and playwright Jimmy Santiago Baca will deliver the keynote speech to the class of more than 460 students. The native New Mexican will discuss his history, which includes going from a kid obtaining a GED to a college graduate to the award-winning author he is today.

Janet Wise, the communications director for the college, writes that Santiago Baca serves as "an inspiration to those who battle adversity and hardships to pursue an education and develop rewarding careers."

Santa Fe Community College President Sheila Ortego said the increased number of graduates is probably because of the economy.

"Everyone realizes that they need to find a way to move forward in life," Ortego said. "Our campus is a place where anyone who wants to learn and grow can. It's a place where people can start or restart a career path."

The ceremony will be at 5 p.m. May 25 at the William C. Witter Fitness Education Center on the SFCC campus. Since the graduating class is so large — 30 percent larger than the class of 2010, Wise writes — shuttle service will be provided to people who must park in the outlying lots. Anybody who needs accommodations because of a disability will be able to park in the William C. Witter Fitness Education parking lot. The graduation will also be aired live on SFCTV Comcast 16 and will be rebroadcast at 7 p.m., May 27, on the same channel.

"The students who graduate next Wednesday come from all walks of life," Ortego said. "They all have one thing in common: They've changed their lives for the better."

Contact Ana Maria Trujillo at 986-3084 or atrujillo@sfnewmexican.com.