Congrats Class of 2020: A Celebration of Latinxcellence
It takes a lot of time, dedication, discipline, and hard work to earn a diploma or degree
Photo: Instagram/@jjasminemedrano
It takes a lot of time, dedication, discipline, and hard work to earn a diploma or degree. Just because we are in the midst of a global pandemic doesn’t mean this is lost on us. It must be devastating for school seniors to not be able to celebrate graduating in the way that they wanted, especially when they are the first in their family to do so.
We are here to celebrate you, graduates. We see you, and we’re so very proud of you. And we are especially proud of the Latinxs that make up the class of 2020. Often, various hurdles must be surpassed in order to graduate high school and/or pursue higher education–and you did it. To continue the joyous, at-home celebrations we’ve seen on TV and online, here are 25 examples of Latinx grads showcasing their epic success.
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Vivian Marie
Vivian Marie is one of the class of 2020’s Latinx grads. The second-generation Chicana knew how important her accomplishment was to her family, who sacrificed so much to leave Mexico for America, so she brought her graduation ceremony home, to them.
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Juan and Manuel Gomez Garcia
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_-YxvIlOdo/
It’s impressive to have one graduate in a family–but two is amazing. Brothers Juan and Manuel Gomez Garcia are first-generation immigrants and first-generation college students who just graduated from UNC Charlotte. Their family looks super happy and proud, as we are too for them both!
Grace Smith Rojas
Grace Smith Rojas celebrated her last day of college by sharing an Instagram photo of her holding her Latinx grad cap. The “proud Central American immigrad” from Costa Rica thanked her mom for helping her to fulfill her goal of graduating from the University of Colorado Boulder.
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Yadira Nava Castro
Julie Frausto celebrated the graduation of Yadira N. Castro on her Instagram profile. Yadira just earned her master’s degree, which is an especially impressive feat. She showed her Chicana pride, wearing a serape sash, and holding up Dolores Huerta’s iconic–and true–inspirational quote–“si se puede!”
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Edgar Aquino Huerta
Film major and aspiring screenwriter and cinematographer Edgar A. Huerta turned his graduation into a short film, complete with his co-workers, in PPE, applauding him as he walks down the aisle at his job, the job that allowed him to graduate debt free. And Huerta’s ready to take on Hollywood; in his own words, “Alfonso Cuarón here comes my screenplay brothaa.”
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Frank Chapa
https://www.instagram.com/p/B__hC7ZnuPG/
Frank Chapa’s proud sister, Priscilla let everyone know how proud she is of her college grad baby brother. The fam didn’t let having to stay at home due to COVID-19 dampen the festivities either, fully celebrating the completion of Frank’s studies at San Antonio College.
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Joss Navarro
Joss Navarro, one of the creators of Mujercitas Rise, took to its account to deservedly shout out her own graduation. She was able to complete her studies (communications major, psychology minor) while also working two jobs (and going to school full time!), and serves as yet another inspiration for other Latinxs to get that degree.
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Maya
High school graduates deserve their congrats this month! In another post by Mujercitas Rise, they shout out Maya, who just graduated from Olympian High School, and is headed to Cal State San Marcos. This Latinx is going from one accomplishment right into creating another.
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Amanda Pericles
Afro-Dominicana Amanda Pericles broke down just how important and rare her graduation is. As a Black Latina speech-language pathologist, she is making her mark in an industry that is the fourth whitest profession. She is one of the 7% of African-Americans with a master’s degree, as well as one of the 4.1% of Hispanics of any race to accomplish that. But she is 100% a success story that we are immensely proud of.
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Claudia J. + Co.
This super cool Tik Tok video, by Claudia J. and several other Latinx grads show how being a badass is more about what’s in your head than anything else. In the video, these Latinas go to the fridge to grab their degree–and in more than one case their degrees–repping for the culture and showing the world how Latinas get things done.
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Angeline Montemayor
Angeline went through a tough childhood, but fought to create a better, more stable life for herself. Today, the wife and mother of two is also a first-generation graduate, completing her courses at Front Range Community College, and set to continue her studies at a university. Montemayor is living proof que si se puede!
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Vicente Brambila
Vicente Brambila literally jumped for joy after graduating from Franklin & Marshall College, as seen in photos posted to his IG account. He, too, used Dolores Huerta’s “si se puede” quote to prove that if you put your mind to something, you can do it.
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Michelle Galvez
Michelle Galvez would have celebrated her graduation for her master’s degree on May 1. Not being able to participate in it, or get the corresponding photos taken, she shared pics from last year, when she received her bachelors. Michelle is the first person in her family to get a degree (but not the last, she declares), and we commend her for sticking with the program (while also studying for the CPA). We’re proud of you!
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Melissa Yamilet Gomez
Another Latinx grad we want to virtually high five is Melissa Yamilet Gomez. She recently earned her BA in psychology from UC Merced, and is a San Francisco native with parents that immigrated to the City from El Salvador. Like many Latinx grads, Melissa is a first-generation grad in her family, and is “so proud to be representing the Bay Area and what a product of immigrants looks like.”
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Jasmin R. M.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_kQdbbDrnq/
Jasmin took to her Instagram to share news of her graduation. She also pointed out the fallacies that Trump told about immigrants, and how they were criminals. Jasmin finds it funny, as she is licensed in public health, received scholarships all four years in school for her good grades, and got an award for student of the year in her chosen field. She goes on to say, “and I don’t think I’m a lot, I am a lot! And we are a lot.” Jasmin goes on to shout out to “her gente,” who are a lot because they are the ones “working in fields, the cleaning, hospitals, stores, in construction, factories, and schools–so that this country survives.” Preach!
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Elsie Guerrero
Hermanas in the Law took a moment to congratulate graduate Elsie Guerrero. She is a University of the District of Columbia law grad, and the president of Latinx Law Student Association at the UDC School of Law. How did the new Lawtina fete her feat? She threw a pink-hued, Elle Woods-themed virtual graduation party!
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Nelson Cordova
When you are the first person to accomplish something in a particular group, you are serving as inspiration, opening the door for others to follow you towards that success. Nelson Cordova is a first-generation graduate, becoming that inspiration for his family. He gives all glory to God for making it happen, and wanted to give back to his immigrant parents for their sacrifices, with his success.
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Summer Cevallos
Another Lawtina who’s about to go do great things in the world is Summer Cevallos. The Houston native just graduated from Thurgood Marshall School of Law (suma cum laude, and as her class’ salutatorian!). Before her father passed away this year, Summer promised to him that she would help people like him, those who would get unfair prison sentences for non-violent offenses, instead of rehabilitation. Cevallos is truly creating the change she wants to see in the world–and that we do too.
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Thalia Rondon
Peruvian Thalia Rondon didn’t just graduate from Parsons with a degree in integrated design, and a double minor in communication design and social practice. She also graduated with departmental and academic honors. Congrats!
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Diana and Giselle Betancourt
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAIb-r-BDYK/
Proud aunt Mariluna took a moment to congratulate her nieces, Diana and Giselle Betancourt, on their graduation from Meredith College. The women of faith didn’t get to celebrate their graduation the traditional way, but family and friends brought the celebration to their front door–responsibly–with a car procession.
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Rozanne V. Villalobos
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAHlhtnnllv/
Rozanne V. Villalobos has four children, works full time, is active in sports, and moved to three different countries will also pursuing her degree full time. But despite such a busy life, she made it happen, earning a Bachelor of Arts from American Public University, while also being a member of the Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society! That’s awesome!wp_*posts
Jasmine Medrano
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCizNGpJKdI/
Jasmine single-handedly proves that no matter what life might throw your way, you can accomplish anything if you just stick to it! Like she says, “2 kids, 1 marriage, and 6 years later; I did it!” Si se puede is right! We can do absolutely anything we put our minds to mamas! And this Salvadoreña proved just that. Felicidades Jasmine!
