Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean congratulates a graduate on stage at the Don Wash Memorial Auditorium, joined by ACCESS principals Ruth Ramirez, center, and Chris Alfieri, right. 
Cadets from Sunburst Youth Academy present the colors during the ACCESS commencement ceremony. 
Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean addresses the ACCESS Class of 2025 at the Don Wash Memorial Auditorium, joined on stage by ACCESS principals Ruth Ramirez and Chris Alfieri. 
Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean encourages graduates to lead lives of strength and purpose during his keynote address at the ACCESS commencement ceremony in Garden Grove. 
ACCESS graduate Alberto Reyes shares his personal journey of overcoming adversity and finding support through education while speaking at Friday’s commencement ceremony at the Don Wash Memorial Auditorium in Garden Grove. 
Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean extends a congratulatory hand to an ACCESS graduate during Friday’s ceremony, recognizing students for their hard work and perseverance.
Quick look: About 130 students from five ACCESS sites were honored May 30 during a graduation ceremony that featured student speakers and a keynote by County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean. Additional ceremonies continue in June.
The season of caps and gowns kicked off Friday for students in the Orange County Department of Education’s ACCESS program, as about 130 graduates were honored during a morning ceremony at the Don Wash Memorial Auditorium in Garden Grove.
Families, educators and community members filled the venue to celebrate the perseverance and accomplishments of the Class of 2025 — specifically those from five ACCESS campuses in Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Orange and Tustin.
Along with student speakers and remarks from school leaders, the event featured a keynote address from Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean, whose message centered on resilience, growth and the power of being supported by others.
Drawing from his own experiences overcoming adversity during childhood, Dr. Bean encouraged students to carry forward with strength and purpose.
“We see you. We believe in you. And we are proud of you,” he said. “You’ve built confidence, not by pretending to be fearless, but by showing up even when you felt afraid.”
“Let this graduation mark more than a finish line,” the county superintendent said. “Let it mark the beginning of a life led with purpose, led with power and perseverance, and full of unlocked potential.”
Transformative impact of ACCESS
Student speakers Angelina Elisa Solares-Meza and Alberto Reyes reflected on their journeys and the challenges they overcame with the help of educators — ACCESS teacher Tom Kostic’s name came up a few times — counselors and family members. Their speeches highlighted the transformative impact of ACCESS and the strength that comes from perseverance.
The program also featured remarks from ACCESS Principals Chris Alfieri and Ruth Ramirez, along with a presentation of colors from cadets affiliated with Sunburst Youth Academy, a military-based charter program.
ACCESS — short for Alternative, Community and Correctional Education Schools and Services — serves thousands of students whose needs may not be met in traditional school settings, including many who have faced significant challenges or fallen behind on credits.
The program offers flexible instruction, counseling and support services to help students earn diplomas and pursue postsecondary opportunities.
Ceremonies honoring ACCESS graduates will continue at locations throughout Orange County during the month of June.