As a graduating senior at Whittier College and president of the Hispanic Student Association, Astrid Bojorge says she’s hardly had time these past few weeks to be nervous about her upcoming commencement ceremony, which takes place Friday at Memorial Stadium.
That’s because her mind has been on a smaller, more intimate and emotional graduation ritual that has become a time-honored tradition at many colleges and universities across the state: Latino Graduation.
The Latino Graduation, which took place Saturday evening at the Shannon Center, began at Whittier College six years ago to give Latino students the chance to honor each other, their families and their college experience, officials said.
And although it is open to all students, many are Latino first-generation students who, like Bojorge, look forward to the ceremony for one main reason – to acknowledge and thank their friends and family.This is the first year that the Hispanic Student Association sponsored and organized the Latino Graduation, though it has always helped to support the event, Bojorge said.
About 40 students participated this year, donning the traditional cap-and-gown to get up on stage and receive a certificate from Whittier College President Sharon Herzberger.
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