More than 3,000 graduates celebrate milestone at PBSC commencement

More than 3,000 Palm Beach State College graduates crossed the stage Wednesday at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, marking a milestone defined by resilience, service and dedication.

The spring 2026 commencement ceremonies—held across four celebrations—reflected the extraordinary diversity and determination of PBSC’s student body. This year’s class included 89 veterans and active‑duty service members and a record‑breaking 144 dual enrollment students earning college credentials before high school graduation.

PBSC’s graduates are stepping into some of the region’s most in‑demand fields, underscoring the College’s role as a major talent pipeline for Palm Beach County. This year, students earned more than 3,200 degrees and workforce certificates, including nearly 2,000 Associate in Arts degrees, 343 Associate in Science degrees, and more than 900 workforce and technical credentials that lead directly to well‑paid jobs.

Many of PBSC’s strongest programs—such as Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Paralegal, Crime Scene Technology, Computer Programming, Emergency Medical Technician, and HVAC—were among the top areas of study represented at commencement. Nursing alone produced more than 100 new graduates across the Associate and Bachelor of Science programs, reinforcing PBSC’s role as one of the county’s largest educators of frontline healthcare professionals.

Among the day’s standout moments was a rare family milestone as three brothers—Nelson, Harold and Christian Prieto Romero—graduated together during the morning ceremony. Originally from Venezuela, the brothers arrived in the United States just two years ago and turned a challenging transition into a shared achievement, supporting one another while pursuing different academic paths. Their story echoed a theme seen throughout the ceremonies: determination paired with opportunity.

“Earning a credential at Palm Beach State College is not just a personal achievement—it’s a powerful step toward greater opportunity and a brighter future,” said PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D. “Many of you have traveled a unique path to reach this day, sometimes juggling work, family and life’s unexpected detours. You persevered, and today, you stand here ready to take the next leap forward.”

“Your degree is an extraordinary accomplishment, but it is not the finish line. It is a launch point,” added PBSC District Board of Trustees Chair Daniel Z. Epstein.

The College also highlighted graduates already making an impact in critical industries. Emerson Blatche’ and Jonathan Jackson are stepping directly into full‑time engineering roles supporting aerospace innovation and energy production in Palm Beach County. Veteran graduates like Skye Escobar balanced military service, family responsibilities and academics to launch new careers in healthcare and construction management.

Local leaders punctuated the day with messages of inspiration throughout the College’s four commencement ceremonies.

At the 9 a.m. ceremony, Palm Beach County Mayor and PBSC alumna Sara Baxter reflected on the impact the College had on her own journey during her keynote address, telling graduates: “Palm Beach State taught me the importance of community. This College reflects the very best of Palm Beach County—diverse, driven, and full of potential.”

Building on that message of perseverance and growth, Florida Rep. Jervonte “Tae” Edmonds encouraged graduates at the 12:30 p.m. ceremony to recognize the challenges they overcame. “Sometimes the bridge that prepares you is not smooth sometimes it's built from struggle, sacrifices, hard choices and late nights,” Edmonds said.

At the 4 p.m. ceremony, keynote speaker Florida Rep. Debra Tendrich highlighted the determination behind each graduate’s achievement. “Today, when you walk across that stage – you’re not just carrying your diploma, you’re carrying everything it took to get here: resilience, dedication and the decision to invest in yourself,” Tendrich said.

Closing out the day at the 7 p.m. ceremony, Florida Rep. Anne Gerwig emphasized the broader impact of education and service to others. “Education is not just a pathway to a better job — it is a tool that allows you to build a better life, not just for yourself, but for others,” Gerwig said.

Ceremony themes added depth to the celebration, with recognitions including National Nurses Day, veteran graduates, the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, dual enrollment achievement and PBSC alumni success.

View photos from each commencement ceremony in the Flickr album by clicking the event link.

9 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 4 p.m. | 7 p.m.