Drive-by parade held for Westmont College grad

LOMPOC, Calif. - A Westmont College athlete from Lompoc didn't let having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) stop her from graduating.

To celebrate, friends, teachers, track coaches and first responders took part in a drive-by parade in her neighborhood.

CHP officers and Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown led about 35 cars down Tamarisk Drive to honor Dana Hjelm.

Hjelm, 22, just received her biology degree from Wesmont College in Montecito.

She entered college with a 4.22 grade point average and joined the Wesmont track team.

The newly minted grad also loves the ocean and remembers learning to surf at Autism Society events.

She visited campus for dorm checkout on Sunday.

"This is my last day at Westmont, and I am thanking all of my professors, friends, teammates, we have been through a lot together: the Thomas Fire, the mud debris flow, and now COVID-19 together."

She said ironically that one of her classes last semester was an infectious disease class.

"I want to thank everyone who has helped me from preschool onto Westmont College."

She won a scholarship and graduated with honors.

Hjelm hopes to talk to Sheriff Brown about getting a job in the Santa Barbara County crime lab. She would also like to help the health department teach people with special needs about the importance of good nutrition.