Youth Leadership Institute was proud to partner with Education and Leadership Foundation and Fresno Unified School District to organize the fourth annual Latinx High School Celebración on Sunday, June 7. The kNOw Youth Media asked four youth who participated in the ceremony to share their experience and what makes this event so special.
Sayuri Soto, Roosevelt High School
Being born and raised in Fresno, I often find it challenging to connect with my Latino culture. Although I grew up speaking Spanish and have traveled to Mexico many times, I struggle nonetheless to feel authentically Latina in a region primarily composed of white people. At the Latinx High School Celebración on Sunday, June 7th, I felt more connected to my roots than I often have in this city.
Since I heard from the experiences of my older peers a year ago, I knew I wanted to attend the ceremony. The expectations I had going in—beautiful performances, cultural attire, and a celebration of Latin heritage—were surpassed as I walked into the Save Mart Center to the sound of my school’s amazing mariachi (go Riders!). The ceremony was held entirely in Spanish, a detail I was very grateful for; my grandmother, who primarily speaks Spanish, was able to watch me cross the stage in a setting she could truly connect with. The three student speakers, two of which were former classmates of mine, shared inspiring experiences that deeply resonated with me as a Mexican-American; the duality that comes with my identity and the challenges that it adds to our pursuit of education were spoken about beautifully by my peers. I not only had a chance to connect with my culture, but to connect with others who understood me.
This is the fourth year that Fresno Unified School District hosts the Latinx High School Celebración, and it should continue to be held for many years to come. Us Latinx students come from lineages of sacrifice, hard work, and perseverance. Having a space to celebrate our accomplishments alongside those that paved our way, and in our native language, is very special. As student speaker (and elementary school classmate of mine) Mariana Gaspar powerfully shared at the ceremony, our bilingualism and identities are our superpowers; let’s show the Central Valley what the next generation of Latinos can do!
Antonella Kato, Duncan Polytechnical High School
The Latinx celebration is a beautiful time where Latinos unite to commemorate their earned triumphs and encourage one another for future accomplishments. It’s more than just a ceremony; it’s a unique way to acknowledge our roots and celebrate the hard work each Latino has put in to create a better life for ourselves in this country.
As a student speaker, I had the opportunity to take in this celebration at a whole different level. I was able to come together with two other wonderful girls to share our stories that uniquely intertwine with each other. As young Latinos, we understand what it means to have nothing, and how to make the most out of everything. With broken backgrounds, we each find strength in community to fight against the constant challenges we face as a culture.
I had the privilege of standing in front of hundreds of students, each with their own stories, their own accomplishments, to express my gratitude for how far I’ve come and share meaningful reassurance to prepare for what is to come. It was a beautiful experience, having the opportunity to put words to the silent story that is repeated in most Latinos’ lives.
I cannot fully express my gratitude to the Latinx organization for allowing me to be part of something so much bigger, so much more significant than just my story alone. Being part of this beautiful experience made me feel so understood and acknowledged. It reminded me of the privilege it is to be Latino, and it permitted me to cherish the culture I am so proud to be part of.
Ivan Juarez Pablo, McLane High School
When I attended the Latinx High School Celebración, I immediately felt how special the event was. It wasn’t just another graduation ceremony; it was a celebration of who we are and where we come from. One of my favorite parts was seeing cultures from all over Latin America represented through the dances, music, and traditions. The mariachi performance especially stood out to me because it brought so much excitement and pride into the room. Seeing everyone celebrate their heritage while also celebrating graduation made the experience unforgettable.
What impacted me the most was seeing all the families there supporting their students. Everywhere I looked, parents were taking pictures, cheering, and celebrating with their children. You could tell how proud they were. It reminded me that graduating isn’t just an achievement for the student, but also for the families who have supported us every step of the way. Seeing those moments made me appreciate my own family even more and everything they have done to help me get where I am today.
The speakers also left a strong impression on me. Their words were uplifting and encouraging, and they reminded us that our backgrounds are something to be proud of. As I sat there listening, I felt a sense of motivation and confidence. Looking around at so many successful students who shared similar experiences made me realize that we are capable of accomplishing great things. It gave me hope and inspired me to keep working hard toward my future goals.
The Latinx High School Celebración was beautiful because it brought together culture, family, and achievement in one place. I left feeling proud, grateful, and motivated. More than anything, the ceremony reminded me that we are stronger when we support one another and that no matter where we come from, we all have the power to succeed.
Atzel Valdez, McLane High School
Words simply cannot define the feeling of comfort, happiness, and unity that each and every one of us felt at the Latinx School Celebration. Being a part of this celebration as well as having the opportunity to be a part of the student planning committee was one of the most impactful moments of my senior year. From the beautiful performances, entertaining our loved ones, to the amazing Mariachi welcoming the graduates, the celebración has truly become one of the best things to happen in the Fresno Unified School District. The amount of detail put into the event was astonishing.
Seeing so many graduates come together from different high schools all across Fresno
Unified felt like such a heart-warming feeling. It just shows how much people care for and are proud of their culture. There was something specific that I really enjoyed in Veva Islas’ speech. She had one student stand up, showing that they can still do it on their own, but she then had the rest of the graduates stand up, signifying that we are much stronger and can make a difference when we stand up together.
I had the privilege of holding one of the Latin American flags. I was able to not only celebrate my own accomplishments but also help represent many other cultures and traditions that form a part of our Latino community. This is the definition of being inclusive. Not a single flag was favorited, nor left out. I felt the nervousness of the ceremony before it even started. It may be a hot take, but I was more nervous for this celebration than my actual high school graduation. Not because I have a preference, but because for this ceremony, I felt that I did belong and I felt more connected overall. No more need to be translating what is going on. No need to say welcome in many different languages. No need to wonder what the “long speeches” mean. All the hard work that went into the celebration over the year has finally paid off and the annual Latinx High School Celebracion only keeps growing from here.
