Drum beats, rhythmic dancing and the scent of burning copal heralded the 16th High School Equivalency Program graduation on Aug. 24 in Santa Rosa Junior College’s Bertolini Student Activities Center. HEP students dressed in caps and gowns received a blessing ceremony by Danza Xantotl de Santa Rosa, a local Indigenous dance group.
Masters of ceremonies Margarita Garcia and Elvira Lopez welcomed students’ families and friends with a land blessing in English, Spanish and Mixteco, saying, “We also recognize the diverse community of migrants, many of whom our students emigrated from and made their home here today from México, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia and Perú.”
SRJC President Dr. Angélica Garcia, the daughter of farmworkers, presented a heartfelt and uplifting speech in Spanish. “You all are going to be the next presidents, leaders, lawyers, doctors,” she said. “The education system here in the U.S. doesn’t recognize our stories, our strength, that our people were doing math before textbooks and using the stars to navigate. You all come from a strong ancestry.”
During her speech, Dr. Garcia noted the impact her mother had on her upbringing. “My mother wasn’t able to help me with my studies, but she would always tell me, ‘Hey mija, I can’t give you money, I can’t give you a car, I can’t give you a house, but what I can give you is my love, my affection and my support’ And so for all of you that are here today, thank you for supporting your graduates.”
During the ceremony, HEP outreach and recruitment specialist Enedina Vera presented William Abdiel Garcia, a former HEP student, with a $1000 scholarship from the National HEP/CAMP Association. “This is a fairy tale that came true,” Garcia said.
Garcia plans to transfer to Sacramento State and major in nursing. “Never would I have imagined being at this point where I achieved something. I started from zero, with no education in Guatemala, and to then get here [the United States] with nothing and then to receive support from many SRJC personnel, The Dream Center, HEP. They helped me get here today,” he said.
For Lourdes Jimenez, HEP marked the beginning of a new life. Several years ago an emergency cesarean section due to a complicated pregnancy left her in a comatose state. Weeks later she lost her baby and reached an all-time low. That’s when her friend Adela referred her to the High School Equivalency Program.
“I feel very fortunate, thanks to God, for giving me a second chance at life. The HEP team, they never stopped believing in me,” Jiminez said. “The motive for why I decided to keep studying is because I want to be a role model for my daughters and to show that in this country anything is possible despite being an immigrant, despite not knowing the language. Si se puede [Yes, we can], and here I am achieving my schooling.”
Following the conclusion of the ceremony, graduates and their families gathered in Bertolini Quad to celebrate together and enjoy lively music, tacos and Dorilocos.
