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As they prepare to leave ���ϲ�����, many members of the Class of 2026 gathered in Lakeside Meeting Rooms on May 21 for a celebration centered not only on achievement, but also on the people and communities that helped them get there.

Celebremos! Graduates Take Flight brought together 37 seniors and their families, mentors and friends to honor their journeys for an afternoon of reflection, gratitude and celebration. Throughout the program, students shared personal tributes recognizing the sacrifices, encouragement and support systems that shaped their ���ϲ����� experiences.

President Connie Ledoux Book reminded the soon-to-be graduates that the stole they were about to receive was not only a recognition of their academic accomplishments, but also a testament to their pride, culture and identity.

“The ���ϲ����� community is proud of your achievements, your stories and the richness that you have added to ���ϲ�����’s history during your time here,” she said, adding that this is just the beginning. She asked them to take ���ϲ����� with them in all endeavors and to stay connected to their alma mater. “I do hope that you’ll continue to reach back to ���ϲ����� and the community here to share your story, to share your ���ϲ����� experience and to root for the next generation of ���ϲ����� grads.”

Each graduate had the opportunity to write a message of gratitude for their village in the language of their choice. Many of them took the opportunity to publicly thank parents and loved ones whose sacrifices made college possible.

“As a first-generation Hispanic college student, there were many moments where I felt like I was figuring things out as I went,” wrote Isabella Ibañez, whose family heritage is from Argentina. “My parents immigrated here and worked hard to create opportunities for me and my siblings, even when they did not always have a roadmap themselves.”

Others reflected on the emotional complexity of reaching graduation after years of uncertainty, growth and perseverance.

“I’ve been asked a lot recently about how I feel about graduating,” drama and theatre studies major Samantha Azúa wrote. “Without so much as a second thought, I’m quick to respond with ‘existential.’” In her tribute, Azúa thanked her parents for the sacrifices they made in moving to the United States and for teaching her to take advantage of every opportunity and to “trabajar duro y nunca rendirme, incluso cuando las cosas se ponen muy difíciles.”

For fellow graduating senior Libia Zulema Velasquez, hearing younger students reflect on the sacrifices their parents made for them was particularly meaningful. A mother herself who uprooted her family from Culiacán in northwestern Mexico to pursue a Master of Education in Innovation at ���ϲ�����, she understood all too well the significance of those words. “I kept looking at my children,” she said. “I can identify with that sacrifice.”

As part of her reflection, she had these words for Liam and Leo: “A mis hijos quiero decirles que: todo es posible. Todo se puede alcanzar. Solo hace falta pensarlo, decidirlo … y actuar.”

The stories shared throughout the event reflected a wide range of experiences, but common themes emerged repeatedly: family, belonging, mentorship and resilience.

For Daniela Ávila, graduating meant carrying her hometown in Honduras with her into the future.

“Hoy, al celebrar mi graduación, llevo a mi pueblo conmigo en cada paso que doy,” she wrote. “Me siento profundamente orgullosa de mis raíces y de representar a una comunidad llena de personas trabajadoras, artesanos y luchadores que inspiran con su ejemplo.”

Several graduates specifically highlighted the communities they found at ���ϲ�����: spaces and people that helped transform the university into a second home. Others recognized the role programs such as Odyssey and ���ϲ����� Academy played in helping them navigate college and pursue opportunities they once thought impossible.

“Odyssey no solo me brindó apoyo académico, sino también un sentido de pertenencia y una red de personas que realmente creen en mi potencial,” wrote Jesús Santoyo Rosales, who is graduating with a degree in biomedical and mechanical engineering. “Este logro no es solo mío, es de todos nosotros” — a reminder that “this achievement is not only mine; it belongs to all of us.”

“Your story matters and the way you live with integrity, with empathy and love will continue to inspire those around you.”
— Sylvia Muñoz, director of the CREDE

The event also highlighted the deeply personal nature of students’ journeys. Some graduates thanked siblings who inspired them, grandparents who sacrificed for future generations, professors who saw potential in them and friends who became family.

“Growth does not happen alone,” Ibañez wrote. “It comes from the people who support you, challenge you, and remind you that you are capable even when you doubt yourself.”

For many students, graduation represented more than earning a degree; it symbolized the culmination of years of sacrifice that stretched far beyond themselves.

“Como hija mayor y primera generación en graduarme de la escuela secundaria y ahora de la universidad, llevo este logro con orgullo, pero también con responsabilidad,” wrote Carolina Vasquez. “Siempre he querido ser un buen ejemplo para mis hermanos, demostrarles que sí se puede, que nuestros sueños no tienen límites.”

In her charge to the students, Diana Jimenez Carreno challenged graduates to be present in the moment and proud of what they have accomplished. Above all, she encouraged them to never forget their roots or the strong voices they carry within them.

“Do not let stereotypes, stigma or negativity in the world silence that voice,” she said. “And believe me, it’s easier said than done. But you’re not alone. And when life feels overwhelming, lean on your village.”

Sylvia Muñoz, assistant dean of students and director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, echoed that sentiment in her closing remarks. “As you begin this next chapter, remember your voice matters,” she said. “Your story matters and the way you live with integrity, with empathy and love will continue to inspire those around you.”

As the celebration concluded, students embraced family members, posed for photos and reflected on the communities that carried them through their ���ϲ����� journeys.

“I just feel so thankful and so blessed,” Velasquez said, reflecting on the event. There is one message, she added, that she plans to carry with her moving forward: “Disfruta el momento.”