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.”