Spanish graduation celebration honors students and families

Latino families had an early opportunity to celebrate the upcoming graduation of students from the University of North Georgia (UNG).

The Spanish graduation celebration on April 24 on UNG's Gainesville Campus offered parents, family and other supporters a chance to hear about graduates' accomplishments in their native language. Twenty graduates and their families took part, with the Cleveland Ballroom of the Martha T. Nesbitt Academic Building and additional waiting rooms used to maintain social distancing.

Students with the Latino Student Association (LSA) and Latin American Student Organization (LASO) spent more than a year organizing the event, which was initially slotted to debut in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic closed campus for the final month and a half of the spring 2020 semester.

A 20-minute video played at the event, including messages of congratulations from UNG President Bonita Jacobs; Daniela Martinez, associate director of UNG's Center for Global Engagement; Mariela Romero, regional community empowerment director for Univision; and the presidents of LSA and LASO.

Noemi Nolasco, a sophomore from Atlanta, Georgia, pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Spanish language and literature, helped create the celebration.

"The celebration was a chance for the families to understand and feel comfortable," said Nolasco, president of LASO. "They can feel like they're part of the moment instead of hearing about it afterward."

Kyle Murphy, interim assistant director of Multicultural Student Affairs at UNG, enjoyed seeing the students' vision become a reality.

"This is a great example of the leadership of our students and what they're able to do when they work together and put their minds to something," Murphy said.

Ximena Luna, a senior from Flowery Branch, Georgia, pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Spanish language and literature, said "the main purpose of this event was to celebrate the families." Her family was one of those who participated.

"It was really meaningful," Luna said. "I want to make sure they understand that degree is more theirs than mine."

Her mother, Bertha Bimbela, was glad to have such a special day with Luna.

"It was very motivating because we understood what was being said, and above all, they praised our children for their achievements," Bimbela said.

Luna shared the moment with one of her best friends, who also is graduating this semester. Some of Luna's family members who live in Mexico watched the ceremony on Facebook Live and sent her a video of them screaming in celebration.

"They were able to celebrate, too, even though they weren't here," Luna said.

Nathalia Ingles, a sophomore from Buford, Georgia, pursuing a degree in communication with a concentration in public relations, appreciated the way families could understand what was happening.

"Just to see the expressions on parents' faces was the biggest reward," Ingles said, who serves as LSA president.