family siting on a table with blue tablecloth, at the back the bear of UNC called Klawz

Article

May 2, 2024

Written and Translated by Carlos José Pérez Sámano

Yes, We Did It! Latine Families Come Together to Celebrate Graduation

¡Sí se pudo! Familias latinas se reúnen para celebrar la graduación.

Families come together to celebrate more than 330 Latine-identifying students graduating this spring.

Varias familias se reunen para celebrar la graduación de más de 330 estudiantes latinos.

The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) celebrated the achievements of its Latine student community with the vibrant and culturally rich LatinXcellence event on Sunday, April 28.  

In its fifth year, the annual event is organized by the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, along with the César Chavez Cultural Center and other key allies. Its serves as a momentous occasion to recognize the hard work, perseverance and accomplishments of Latine graduates, honoring their journey through academia and beyond.  

This spring’s LatinXcellence event provided a platform for more than 600 participants, including students, faculty, staff and families, to come together in unity and celebration, showcasing the diverse talents, resilience and contributions of the Latine community at UNC. Attendees were treated to inspiring speeches by UNC’s President Andy Feinstein, Rogelio García-Pérez from the COSI program and graduating student Izbeth Pacheco Holguin, who shared about the relevance of having representation in the classrooms. The audience also enjoyed the captivating performance of Andrea Camacho, who sang a song from The Little Mermaid, a series of songs interpreted by the Latin Music Ensamble conducted by the new Latinx Music Program Director, Javier Viñasco, and heartfelt expressions of pride and solidarity from friends and families.  

As graduates crossed the stage, they were cheered on by their peers and loved ones, marking the culmination of their academic endeavors and the beginning of exciting new chapters in their lives. 


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