Ceremony held at Camas McDonald’s for mother who went back to school
Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com
Cake. Balloons. Class of 2024 Decorations.
Pomp and Circumstance played through a speaker.
Oh, and arches, too.
Of course, golden arches.
This was not a typical graduation ceremony but it was a genuine ceremony, celebrating the high school graduation of 32-year-old Isael “Isa” Cuevas Ayala, a wife, a mother of two, and a manager at the Camas McDonald’s.
Ayala was invited to take advantage of the Archways to Opportunity program that is offered to employees by participating McDonald’s restaurants. Employees can take English as a Second Language classes, get tuition assistance, free guidance from advisors, or in the case of Ayala, earn a high school diploma.
“I’m really happy to finish school, and now they have an example to be better,” Ayala said, pointing to her daughters, Camila, 10, and Balentina, 4.
Also in attendance were other family and friends, co-workers, McDonald’s management, local and statewide, plus state representatives Paul Harris and Kevin Waters.
“It is so special that you are here,” Ayala said.
Val Hadwin, a co-owner of several McDonald’s in Southwest Washington along with Matt Hadwin, is impressed with Ayala’s drive.
“She went into this program, which can be a 2-year program, and she got it done in nine months,” Val Hadwin said. “All the while she is a manager here and raising two children with her husband. She’s an inspiration.”
Hadwin said that those who work at McDonald’s are part of the “McFamily,” so when a milestone is achieved, such as Ayala’s graduation, the McFamily celebrates.
In 2023, 16 employees from restaurants that the Hadwins own received close to $24,000 in tuition assistance.
Now Ayala is celebrating being a member of the Class of 2024.
“As an important member of our McFamily, we are proud to support her in pursuing her dreams through our tuition assistance program,” the Hadwins said in a statement. “We can’t wait to see her continue to grow, whether that’s within or outside of McDonald’s.”
Ayala and her family moved from Mexico to Washougal in 2004. She said she did not know any English at the time. In 2013, Ayala started working at McDonald’s. She left for a time before returning to McDonald’s in 2021. That is when she started working her way up to manager, and when she took advantage of the Archways to Opportunity program.
“They gave me the opportunity to learn more and be more confident with my English,” she said. “The program I took taught me to be more confident with customers and employees.”
Ayayla said she hopes to take college courses next.
“I feel proud of myself that I did this,” she said. “I’m so happy.”
Also read:
- Skyview softball coach shows her dedication to the StormSoftball coach Kim Anthony opted to decline an invitation to a special ceremony to honor her own athletic achievement in order to stay with the Skyview Storm, and the team responded with a bi-district championship and the top seed to this week’s state tournament.
- Opinion: “The Parent Revolution” by Dr. Corey DeAngelis is an education reform thriller“The Parent Revolution,” a new book by Dr. Corey DeAngelis, is an education reform thriller.
- Colorful, Chinook Canoe returns to Parkersville DayThe annual Parkersville Day event, held the first Saturday of June, celebrates the rich history of the site of the Parker’s Landing Historical Park at the Port of Camas-Washougal.
- A Falcon (and two Tigers) prepare to take flightThis summer, two Battle Ground High School Tigers and one Prairie Falcon will attend an eight-week Flight Academy sponsored by the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.
- Opinion: Data shows private schools improve civic education, political toleranceNew research from the Education Psychology Review indicates students who attend private and parochial schools perform much better when it comes to obtaining well-rounded civics knowledge.
- County Council seeks applicants for position on recycling and waste system commissionThe Clark County Council is seeking applicants for a volunteer position on the Solid Waste Advisory Commission.
- Survey: More young adults in Washington smoke weed on a daily basisSurvey: More young adults in Washington smoke weed on a daily basis. Members of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board were briefed Tuesday on the latest Young Adult Health Survey.
Wow! There are other ways to obtain a degree other then a student loan! Who would have been educated enough to find that out,…………………