Latino graduates from across the country were honored on Friday in a virtual celebration put on bya national organization that works with institutions of higher education to improve Latino college enrollment and completion.
“Forty percent of Latinos that go to college are the first in their families to go,” Excelencia co-founder and CEO Deborah Santiago said. “This is an important milestone. We thought as a national organization, what can we do? Even in these turbulent times, we cannot forget we’re feeding hope as well.”
The hour-long celebration, which was live on Facebook, featured appearances by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation President Allan Goldston and Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas. Journalist Maria Hinojosa, host ofDebora Menieur Nunez, a graduate of the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, attended the virtual ceremony. Nunez is the first student on her campus to be named a Truman Albright Fellow and plans to pursue public service with her scholarship.
“For many of us Latino students, we dream about graduation as a capstone of many sacrifices, many sleepless nights, and the effort and sacrifices of us and also our family members,” she said. “It’s a moment when you finally see and are recognized for your achievements and your efforts.” Hinojosa acknowledged the disappointment and uncertainty that may come with graduating during a pandemic and economic downturn, but encouraged students to reframe how they look at their missed milestones.
They went into debt to learn they didn't learn shit.
Whatever!