As I think back on my childhood, growing up with limited opportunities, I never imagined that I a young immigrant from a small garifuna community called Sambo Creek in Honduras would make it this far. Graduating from college feels unreal. It’s a dream come true, but more than that, it’s the result of years of sacrifice, hard work, and faith. I thank God for always giving me the strength to keep going, even when things got hard. This isn’t just my achievement. It belongs to my mom, who supported me through everything, every step of the way. To my dad, my friends, and everyone who believed in me when I needed it the most. And to my teachers who pushed me to keep going and never settle thank you for seeing something in me that I didn’t always see in myself.
These four years taught me way more than just school
• Discipline
• Resilience
• Leadership
• The true meaning of sacrifice
Today I graduate with a degree in Hospitality Management, with concentrations in Culinary, Hotel Management, and Restaurant Management, and a minor in Political Science. I’m proud to say I was
• An EOP student
• AASO Entertainer Chair
• Statler Foundation Scholarship recipient 2024–2025 & 2025–2026
• Community Assistant for Residence Life 2024–2025
• Community assistant for R2S 2024–2025
Every title, every role, every recognition came from long nights, real challenges, and staying consistent.
Today I celebrate not just what I did, but everything I had to overcome to get here. And this… this is just the beginning. 🎓✨
