The day we’ve all been waiting for is finally here. I’m graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara as a proud member of the Class of 2026!!
Starting over and finding my way to this moment has developed my character in profound ways. Through this experience, I have established a patience, resilience, and confidence beyond my expectations. I’ve met so many amazing friends and family along the way and I’m blessed to have such a phenomenal village that keeps me grounded, focused, and humble.
My parents have been an unconditional support throughout this journey. I met my dad here on campus just over two years ago, UCSB was his alma mater, and in such a short time, he left a lasting impact on who I am for the rest of my life. In the time we shared, he spoke about this place with so much joy and history, expressing his excitement for my journey ahead. His passing has left a constant heartache, but it also gave me a deeper understanding of how powerful a brief connection can be. When I go through campus, I feel his presence in the spaces he once knew. Carrying his legacy feels like more than an academic accomplishment, it’s an irreplaceable connection that I get to have forever. I could not have reached this milestone without my mom by my side too, empowering me with love and wisdom from the very beginning. She has been my foundation, showing up in the quiet moments, carrying me through uncertainty, and reminding me how far I have come to get to where I am and where I want to be in the future. Her strength taught me resilience, her sacrifices gave me opportunities, and her belief in me never wavered, even when mine did. This milestone is just as much hers as it is mine, it reflects every late night, every hard conversation, and every lesson, both academic and lived, that paved the path here. I carry both of them with me into this next chapter with gratitude, with love, and with the intention to honor everything they’ve passed down to me. I know when I cross that stage I will be cheered on from heaven and earth by both parents.
As a first-generation Latina, this milestone is not only mine, but the generations before me. My mom and grandma left Guatemala in search of a better life and I am proud to be the first in my family to graduate from a university. My time here at UCSB inspired my mom to go to college and graduate with a Paralegal degree where she will continue her education at SDSU in the fall to study Law! Our educational journeys have been anything but ordinary, and everything more than we dreamed!
To celebrate this achievement and my upcoming birthday, my friend Macy and I have planned a trip to Rome, where we will spend the summer immersing ourselves in new cultures and stepping outside of everything familiar. After years of late-night study sessions, early morning exams, and balancing school with work, this trip represents more than a getaway—it’s a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come before stepping into the next chapter of our lives with intention, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose. Any support, whether through a donation or simply sharing this, means more than I can express!
Thank you all for being part of my life, near and far. I’m truly honored to share this moment with you!