{"id":16481,"date":"2023-11-08T15:11:18","date_gmt":"2023-11-08T15:11:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fiualumni.com\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/?p=16481"},"modified":"2023-11-08T15:14:08","modified_gmt":"2023-11-08T15:14:08","slug":"first-generation-college-grads-give-their-families-a-sneak-peek-at-their-caps-and-gowns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fiualumni.com\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/index.php\/2023\/11\/08\/first-generation-college-grads-give-their-families-a-sneak-peek-at-their-caps-and-gowns\/","title":{"rendered":"First-generation college grads give their families a sneak peek at their caps and gowns"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published on November 8, 2023 on news.fiu.edu.<\/a><\/p>\n

Written by Clara-Meretan Kiah<\/p>\n

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A truly special moment in the journey of a first-generation college student is when their family sees them dressed in graduation regalia for the first time. It signifies the culmination of both a student\u2019s hard work as well as the sacrifice and support their family has provided as they aimed to reach new heights.<\/p>\n

To celebrate national\u00a0First-Generation College Celebration Day<\/a>, and with December commencement season just around the corner, FIU gave three first-generation Panthers\u2019 families a \u201csneak peek\u201d at their beloved soon-to-be graduates in their caps and gowns. It was a day brimming with emotion \u2013 and even a few tears of joy.<\/p>\n

Kassandra Velazquez<\/h3>\n

Kassandra Velazquez is double majoring in psychology and women\u2019s and gender studies. She has participated in TRIO Student Support Services since she entered university, and she says the support has made all the difference as a first-generation student.<\/p>\n

During her studies, Velazquez worked with the Women\u2019s Center and as a student assistant in the College of Business admissions department. It inspired her to look for jobs as a college recruiter or admissions professional following graduation while she applies to graduate school. She intends to earn a master\u2019s in higher education administration next, followed by a doctorate in psychology.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe sacrifices you\u2019ve experienced allow me to experience these opportunities,\u201d Velazquez told her parents after the big reveal in her cap and gown. \u201cThank you for everything. Everything I do every day is always for you. And my future is dedicated to you just like everything I accomplish will always be dedicated to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d her mother said. \u201cI hope you accomplish all your dreams and continue reaching high. You\u2019re a beautiful star. Keep on growing and never change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ernesto Perez<\/h3>\n

Ernesto Perez is a finance major and a member of the Honors College. Following graduation, Ernesto will move to Charlotte, N.C., where he has been hired to work in the chief financial officer\u2019s group at Bank of America headquarters.<\/p>\n

Ernesto was joined by his sister, Maria, and his mother, Elizabet, who raised her children as a single parent and an immigrant. She said the sacrifices she made to support her children so they could go on to college are made worth it by seeing them achieve their goals.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, [the emotion] is too much. All of the efforts that were made, for me, are fully realized with him,\u201d Perez\u2019s mother said.<\/p>\n

Isabel Leal<\/h3>\n

Isabel Leal is majoring in public relations, advertising and applied communications and already works full-time alongside her studies. As a student, she participated in the FIU Communicators, a staff-guided student group charged with creating relatable, on-brand social media content for the university\u2019s main channels. Leal is awaiting acceptance to her dream internship with The Walt Disney Company, and she hopes to pursue a career as a content creator for a major label such as Disney, Meta or Microsoft.<\/p>\n

Leal\u2019s mother, Romaira, was moved to tears seeing her daughter for the first time in her cap and gown.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs immigrants, you leave with two suitcases from a country \u2013 with clothes and dreams. And really, thanks to FIU, Isabelita is going to fulfill her dream,\u201d her mother said. \u201cFor us, this is very important. It’s the first day of the rest of [Isabel\u2019s] life.\u201d<\/p>\n

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