9,973 students have been approved for commencement ceremonies this year.

Nearly 500 local high school seniors who had been accepted to four-year universities packed Rodney Auditorium at San Diego State University-Imperial Valley campus along with family members for the reception.

Renison was one of 11 winners of the award, which was presented during a black-tie affair with more than 425 people in attendance in San Diego on Saturday. The award is sponsored by the SDSU Alumni Association and began in 1971.

One by one, hikers made their way up the path with only moonlight guiding them to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park wind caves Friday evening.

Imperial County sits at the number two spot with a high unemployment rate and college students are concerned there may not be any jobs when they graduate.