Mayors Paul Leon and Acquanetta Warren Keynote UEI College Ontario Graduation
UEI College Ontario marked an unforgettable graduation ceremony on Friday, welcoming not one, but two regional leaders to the stage. Long-time colleagues and close friends—City of Ontario Mayor Paul Leon and City of Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren—teamed up to deliver an uplifting, high-energy commencement address to celebrate the latest class of skilled graduates.
Sharing lighthearted moments and warm reflections from their years of friendship and public service, both mayors brought unique, complementary perspectives on hard work, practical education, and local impact.
The Power of Tangible Skills
Mayor Warren delivered a compelling, dynamic speech that brought the crowd to its feet, championing the direct value of career-focused education right in the Inland Empire:
“You didn’t have to go to USC and UCLA. You went right down the street in the great City of Ontario and got into the college that gave you skills. See, when you have skills, you don’t have to worry about being laid off.”
Authenticity and Determination
Ontario Mayor Paul Leon followed with an authentic, story-rich address reflecting on his personal journey and his 27 years serving as Ontario’s mayor. He shared grounded wisdom on confidence and grit:
“Good education and hard work is going to send you everywhere you want to go.”
He closed by encouraging graduates to trust in their unique strengths:
“Who you are is good enough.”
With powerful encouragement from civic leadership and loud cheers from family, friends, and faculty, the new UEI College Ontario alumni stepped confidently toward their new careers.
Congratulations to the Ontario graduating class!
