Monarch butterflies, a symbol adopted by Elon’s El Centro to represent a journey, adorned the stoles presented to students at ¡Celebremos!: Graduates Take Flight on May 21, hosted by El Centro and the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education.
Seniors received their stoles, as well as a gift from Elon University President Connie Book. While they received their stoles, letters that students had written to their “villages,” or the people who supported their Elon journeys, were read aloud by members of Elon staff.
Assistant dean of students and director of the CREDE Sylvia Muñoz said in an interview with Elon News Network that Celebremos is an event that celebrates students' culture and heritage, as well as the impact they have made during their time at Elon.
“The parents love the opportunity to be able to hear the stories of the students, and I think it provides the students the opportunity to really thank those that help them get to where they are right now. So it is one of my favorite events,” Muñoz said.
In remarks to the students, Book noted that the ceremony is meant to recognize more than what students have done in the classroom, but their journey as a whole.
“Today, receiving the Latinx-Hispanic Stole is not only a recognition of your academic accomplishments, but also a testament to your pride of your culture, your identity, and each stole symbolizes your unique journey and the bright future that lies ahead of you as you take flight into your new endeavors,” Book said. “The Elon community is proud of your achievements, your stories and the richness that you have added to Elon's history.”
Following the students receiving their stoles, senior Diana Jimenez-Carreno gave a charge to students and thanked the people who have helped her get to this point in her journey.
“Over my four years at Elon, I was fortunate enough to learn the power of my voice. Beyond the positions I held, it was truly the support I received from my family, friends, sisters, professors, faculty, staff and so many more,” Jimenez-Carreno said. “I was blessed by so many mentors in different ways, people who stood by me when I could not fully find my voice, and who challenged me to live by the motto I still carry with me today. You only live life once.”
In an interview with Elon News Network, Jimenez-Carreno said she was grateful to share the event with her village and will miss the tight-knit Hispanic and Latinx community on campus.
Muñoz said that the event is largely made possible by the work of the student coordinators at El Centro.
“The student coordinators in El Centro have worked for the last couple of months planning these, and they came yesterday to start putting things together, and they were in charge of all the decorations,” Muñoz said. “So this is a great opportunity for them to be able to use the skills that they learn in the classroom, but to use them in planning an event, in doing things that also connect them with traditions and their culture.”
Sophomore Valerie Ceballos was one of the El Centro student coordinators who helped plan the event. She said in an interview with Elon News Network that she loves getting to plan events like this, and sometimes it doesn’t even feel like it’s a job.
“It was just really impactful, being able to see all the seniors that I've seen for two years now, have their say in how being a part of this program and identity means so much to them, and then being able to have a highlight on that,” Ceballos said. “Also it was really nice to work with my team. It's always so much fun to do that and plan these events. Everything just came out so beautiful, and I'm really happy about everything.”
Jimenez-Carreno said in an interview with Elon News Network that she wants incoming Hispanic and Latinx students to remember to put themselves out there.
“For the future Latinx, Hispanics, or anybody that at the moment when they come on campus may not feel like they know or can't find their community, just sometimes get out there and out of your comfort zone. I know it's as mentioned, easier said than done, but getting to know out there what there is at Elon,” Jimenez-Carreno said.
Muñoz ended the event by reminding them that their journeys are supported by those of their ancestors and to always embrace their communities.
“Thank you for becoming part of our family, and for making Elon a much better place, more vibrant and a loving space full of joy,” Muñoz said. “You will always have a home here as you begin this next chapter, remember, your voice matters, your story matters, and the way you live with integrity, with empathy and with love will continue to inspire those around you.”