Sharing My USC LAA Graduation with Mom: A True Source of Inspiration

I attended the USC Latino Alumni Association Graduation Sashing Ceremony today! It was a beautiful and fun celebration. This event was hosted for all the scholarship recipients for the class of 2024. The event offered a breakfast for guests, live performances, speeches, and the opportunity to walk across the stage.

Two weeks before the start of the fall semester, I received an email from the Latino Alumni Association (LAA) announcing that I was awarded a scholarship for the academic year 2023-2024. I couldn't believe it! This was such a pleasant surprise! I had forgotten that I applied for this scholarship. To pay for my tuition, I applied for some scholarships offered by the university in early spring. I was congratulated for my academic merit and gifted some funding to pay for my last semester of grad school. I was ecstatic! I was grateful and honored to be an LAA scholar!

I invited my mom to come with me because I wanted to share this celebration with her, and she would appreciate being in a community with other Hispanic/Latino families. When we arrived, we were greeted by LAA staff, who were so welcoming and friendly. My mom was immediately amazed by the Town & Gown banquet hall. It was elegantly decorated, chandeliers illuminating the space. My mom felt excited, pulling out her phone to take pictures. We were both eager for the ceremony to begin.

All the scholars got their unique LAA sash, took pictures with board members, and gave a short speech. The ceremony was so memorable because of how much gratitude every student expressed for their loved ones and their significant impact on their academic journey. I was the first to walk on the small stage, and I had a short speech prepared to say in Spanish. But, I suddenly felt nervous and emotional when I approached the podium. I thanked USC LAA for the celebration.

Most importantly, I thanked my mom for all the sacrifices she had made so that I could pursue my dreams. I felt so proud and happy to recognize that I achieved my master's degree at my dream school. It was a fantastic moment to acknowledge that I am a first-generation student and a woman with a disability to pursue her higher education. I also thanked God for giving me strength when things were difficult because I overcame all those barriers that caused me stress and anxiety.

The beautiful thing about today is that I have so many pictures to remember. I felt so blessed once the event had ended. I was beaming with joy at what I experienced. I felt very inspired by hearing my fellow graduates' speeches. I felt so grateful for the love of my mom. I'm happy that she enjoyed the event because she had to take a day off work to attend. This achievement is as much hers as it is mine. I'm thankful to share this moment with her. We took selfies around campus; the photos captured so much happiness and pride from this accomplishment. She's my biggest inspiration and the only person who knows about my struggles. She understands the value and grandeur of this accomplishment. I can't thank her enough for everything she has done for me as a mother. It's unmatched. My mom has devoted her life to providing for us and giving me and my brother a better opportunity. I took it, and here I am, a master's graduate from one of the best schools in California.