Honoring Latino Students and Families

First Graduate is proud to recognize National Hispanic American Heritage Month, celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15. At First Graduate, most of the students we serve identify as Hispanic or Latino. Our commitment to Latino families is reflected by our organizational history, including a long-standing presence in San Francisco’s historic Mission District, partnerships with HACU Member Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and our recent expansion to Visitacion Valley Middle School, where our instructors offer curriculum in both English and Spanish.

We also acknowledge the challenges our students face, particularly navigating fear and uncertainty during a moment in history where immigrant communities have been subject to increased discrimination and violence. Our students’ resilience inspires us all.

This year, we asked high school and college students what their Hispanic heritage means to them, and how their communities have motivated or inspired them to become the first in their families to graduate from college. Here is what they had to say:*

My Salvadoran culture and my family have played a huge role in my journey toward becoming the first in my family to graduate from college. As the oldest daughter, I’ve always felt motivated to set an example for my younger siblings and make my parents proud. Seeing how hard my family has worked and the sacrifices they have made has taught me to value every opportunity and keep going even when things feel difficult. Being part of the Latino community has also taught me the importance of family, resilience, and working hard for the future you want. Earning my college degree is not only a personal accomplishment for me, but it represents everything my family has done to help me get here and hopefully opens the door for those who come after me. — J, college junior

Growing up in Mexico, we took pride in our resilience. My resilience only grew as I found two communities that inspired me to attend college, one of them being First Graduate. The first community helped me stay connected with my roots by hosting celebrations like El Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe and El Día de los Muertos. Staying connected to the Mission District and my Mexican roots is the reason I persevere through college. As for First Graduate, they helped me see myself as someone who could achieve higher education. Through their college field trips, I visited many campuses and set my goals accordingly. When I had trouble adjusting during my first year, First Graduate provided me with an amazing mentor. As I continue my college journey, I know I can count on First Graduate to support me. — D, college freshman
My Hispanic heritage has been the most important factor in my college career. And in my life in general. Especially my family: they have been my hard-driven motivation my whole life to be where I am now. They never pressured me in a negative manner; instead, they pushed me to continue becoming the first graduate on both sides of our family. They let me rest on them and became a pillar in my everyday life. I feel the same with my community, my Raza. The way Latinos work and understand each other is something universal. Because of our past, we’ve become more unidos and stronger every day. — N, college freshman

Latin culture has always been an important part of my life, and as a music student, I try to incorporate as much Latin music as possible into my education and musical experiences. Whether I’m performing a Latin piece for a final project or completing an independent study on the evolution of mariachi music, I want to keep learning about it and share my culture through music. My independent study explores the history of Aztec music and culture and how Indigenous and other cultural influences eventually contributed to the development of mariachi, one of the most recognized musical genres today. My goal is to bring more awareness of Latin culture and its musical history to my school and its curriculum so that future music educators can become as well-rounded as possible. As schools throughout California continue to add mariachi ensembles to their music programs, I hope to help begin that progress at my own university by advocating for the school’s mariachi ensemble and, hopefully, for the development of an undergraduate mariachi degree program. I am proud of my culture and its history, and I believe Latin music should be accessible to everyone. — A, college junior

My parents came to the United States from Honduras as young adults. They were never given the opportunity to pursue higher education. Because of this, they have always encouraged me to take advantage of the opportunities they did not have and work toward graduating from college. They have been my biggest support system, always helping me to stay grounded, turn to my faith, and keep going when things become difficult. They have also taught me to be proud of where I come from by taking me to Honduras, teaching me Spanish, and reminding me of the importance of where I come from and family. Their sacrifices have shaped who I am, and I hope my education allows me to make them proud and show them that everything they have done for me was worth it. — A, college freshman

The main way my culture has helped me is by enabling me to be the first in my family to finish high school and to start college. The biggest challenge was trying to figure out what it means to be Latino in these specific environments in school and in my personal life. My journey had some ups and downs, like not being the best when it comes to school, especially after being diagnosed with a learning disability and having to navigate my learning difficulties, but having the support of being part of my Latin Student Union and having the support of my family has been crucial for me. — I, college freshman

As the youngest daughter of four, I have witnessed many of the difficulties my parents and siblings have faced throughout their lives. These experiences have guided me towards the path I am now pursuing with my education. Growing up immersed in my culture in the Bay Area has prepared me to enter an environment where my culture is no longer the majority. Being surrounded by my family and witnessing their strong work ethic and determination to succeed has shown what is needed, and expected, from me to build a successful and fulfilling life. Without the support and encouragement of my village, I would not have become the hardworking person I am today. The type of person who pushes herself to exceed every expectation placed in front of her. Their experiences, sacrifices, and belief in me have become a major part of why I continue to pursue higher education and strive for a better future. — C, college sophomore

My community has helped me in so many ways. It’s one of the biggest things that has helped me keep going and overcome many obstacles, specifically coming from different roots. The Hispanic community is one of the strongest, if not the strongest ones yet, a community that unites everyone, a community that makes people work hard, and a community that understands all the different challenges, especially in America. This community means a lot for the country, and from September to October is a great time in order to recognize our hard work. — D, high school senior

*Statements lightly edited for clarity and anonymity.