May 25 was an unforgettable day for Kelvin González, Julia Gaspar and Daniela Ramírez.
Many tears were shed when the three high school students received their diplomas, a moment that might appear ordinary or even easy for other young people. It presented many challenges for the trio.
The children of immigrant parents who crossed the border in search of a better way of life, González, Gaspar and Ramírez are either the first or second generation in their families to attend college. This year they were accepted to George Washington University, Georgia College & State University and Georgia Gwinnett College, respectively.
This accomplishment marks a dream that seemed nearly impossible for the young students.
“I grew up with six siblings. It’s been complicated, because they are older than me, and my parents worked a lot, so I was with my siblings more than I was with my parents,” said Gaspar, a 17 year old native of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. “It was hard, because we all had to help each other with everything. But I grew up with a lot of pride and sense of family.”
One of the most difficult challenges for Gaspar has been keeping the drive to study alive, due to the constant changes her family has endured.
“My parents moved from apartment to apartment, because the rent kept going up, so we had to move. I went to three elementary schools, two middle schools, one or two high schools,” said Gaspar. “I never thought that school was very important. I didn’t give much thought to the fact that I’m an immigrant student in this country, and I have to work twice as hard as the people who were born here. But I kept going, because I want to give back to my family everything they have given to me.”
Like Gaspar, Ramírez understands the value of sacrifice. She crossed the border, alongside her grandmother and cousin, at five years old. Though her memories of the journey are scant, Ramírez never forgets the lessons it has taught her.
“My circumstances have made things challenging, because I wasn’t born here, and I have missed out on opportunities because of that. But it’s made me stronger, because I learned that I have to fight harder than other students,” said Ramírez, who was accepted at George Washington University.
For Ramírez, however, graduating high school is just the beginning. Despite the potential obstacles she may face, Ramírez hopes to obtain a master’s degree in political science and become a human rights lawyer.
The horizon looms similar for Kelvin González, who plans on majoring in graphic design at Georgia College. Although González was born here in the United States, his parents endured a difficult journey crossing the border.
Graduating signifies an important and sacrificial challenge, he said.
“I always studied and did my work. I never really liked to play. I drew and drew… from there I got interested in graphic design,” he explained.
In addition to family support, González has also benefited from a program offered by the Latin American Association. Since ninth grade, González, along with Gaspar and Ramírez, has participated in an after school initiative that offers tutoring and assistance with learning English and developing healthy study habits.
“In this program we offer tutoring, and we motivate them to become leaders and to study and attend college,” said Rigoberto Rivera, High School Program Manager of Education for the LAA.
Thanks to the initiative, more than 20 Hispanic students graduated this year in pursuit of these same objectives.
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