By Tihut Tamrat, Contributing Writer
On Friday May 24th, 101 Black and African American graduates walked the stage waving to their family, friends and supporters. With a vision of “Learning for the Future,” Cuyamaca college takes pride in their comprehensive student support services providing careful guidance for students as they navigate the unknown avenues of academia. This was seen and upheld all throughout the lively Black and African American Graduate Celebration.
To start, Claudette Clark, Community Outreach Specialist at Cuyamaca College, gave her opening remarks, welcoming parents and support systems that watched their children grow and accomplish goals and achievements they’ve set out since admission. Jonathan Ng, Umoja(Unity) Counselor at Cuyamaca College, continued by honoring “Kujichagulia”, defined as self-determination and acknowledging “Nia”, purpose, stating the intention behind the celebration of the Black and African American graduates.
Ushered in by the drummer music precession, Yiriba Drum Works, the celebrated graduates walked into the top floor of the Student Center with big smiles and excitement as they saw their loved ones cheering them on. The ceremony commenced with libations, the pouring out of a drink to call upon the ancestors for blessings, offered by Elder Yiriba, followed by the Black national anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, right before the reception dinner.
The reception dinner, catered by Hapi Eats, paired with smooth trumpet jazz from Kenneth Meredith, brought the house down as guests enjoyed the delicious and delectable food and tunes with company of their graduates. After cravings were satisfied, the celebration called for some inspiring speeches before the graduates walked across the stage and were bestowed with their Kente cloth.
Dr. Jessica Robinson, President of Cuyamaca College, acknowledged the resilience and successes of the graduates, motivating them to continue on with further endeavors and goals they hope to obtain. Dr. Denise Whisenhunt, President of Grossmont College, gave her recollection of her Black graduation and its impact on her drive to excel and motivate today. She also gave her praise to the graduating class to encourage them that they can accomplish anything they put their mind to. Following the president’s speeches, students gave their speeches, thanking their supporters and family, ending with the Keynote speech made by Dr. Sade Burrell, Associate Dean of Student Services and Special Programs.
With nothing else left to be said, the graduates got in line and waited excitedly for their name to be called to finally experience the moment they have worked towards the last couple of years! As names were called students walked across smiling, dancing, and giving shout outs, earning their degrees, congrats, and bragging rights for years to come!
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