The future took center stage at the “Sueña Hacia el Futuro” graduation celebration on June 17 for graduates from the Youth Eastside Services (“YES”) Latino H.E.A.T. and MAMAS Unidas programs representing grades from preschool to college.
While the future inspired our youth and parent organizers, the past and present couldn’t help but take center stage through speeches from two seniors, a parent, the youth organizers, and the keynote speaker Luis Ortega, leadership development consultant and founder/director of Storytellers for Change. They told of sacrifices, struggles, past mistakes, and the “consejos” (advice) of previous generations from across the border and about the challenges experienced in today’s present, all with a sense of mindful gratitude.
“When we graduate, we do it to make our parents proud,” said Judith Mercado, one of the Latino H.E.A.T. event organizers. That was the spirit of the event—celebrating the accomplishments of a family. The event was organized by Latino H.E.A.T. (Hispanos En Acción Together), mothers from MAMAS Unidas, and YES staff Jose Gomez, Tina Morales, and volunteer Tessa Cooke to ensure that parents in their native language could feel and hear the words they long to hear in a public setting: “Thank you”—for your sacrifices, hard work, dedication, and love to inspire these graduates to model your work ethic, determination, and initiative to take on the future.
With graduation caps of colors of the Wiphala flag, a representation of indigenous tribes of Latin America, and matching stoles and tassels, graduates marched as their names were called out. Lead organizer Jazmin Martinez Cruz ordered the procession for college students to be recognized first, followed by high school, middle school, fifth grade, kindergarten, and preschool. Thus, Jazmin noted, “the younger generations walk towards their future selves as high school and university graduates.”
Latino H.E.A.T. student members have celebrated high school graduating peers for the past four years, but this year—thanks to a Union Bank grant—a new tradition was born, that of recognizing graduates from all school levels. “We do this to honor them taking a step into the future; we want all grade levels to know that we are proud of their accomplishment,” said Rosa Alvarez-Luna, another youth lead organizer of the event.
Replete with cultural strengths including traditional foods, music, and parent involvement, community leaders and special guests including Shomari Jones, the Bellevue School District’s Director of Equity & Graduation Success, Sammamish High School alumni, and Lake Hills Elementary teacher Sergio de Santiago. The event was a reminder of the great possibilites when youth and parent voices are provided opportunities, a cultural platform, and funding.
We are extremely grateful to Union Bank, YES, and our supporters at the Boys & Girls Club for helping to launch a tradition that will in future celebrations, continue to dip into the past for its lessons and traditions, the present for its proud graduates and families, and the future to honor and motivate us all to create the kind of change that unites and strengthens hope and actions to create a better world through education leadership, service to others, and culture.
Article written by Tina Morales, Latino Youth & Family Specialist, at Youth Eastside Services