The weekend before City College’s
commencement ceremony on
May 20 in Balboa Park a group of
about 40 will be participating in the
school’s annual Chicano Latina graduation
in the Saville Theatre.
Enrique Davalos, a professor helping
to coordinate the event May 14,
said, that although geared toward the
Mexican community, the ceremony
draws black, white and Asian students
because it is smaller and more
family is able to attend compared to
the official ceremony.
Davalos also explained that each
student is given an opportunity to
address their family members and
the audience upon receiving their
certificate.
“The graduation is very intimate
and it is very emotional to hear each
student thank their family and friends
for their support; a lot of them are
first generation college graduates,”
Davalos said.
“This is also a time to celebrate
the diversity on our campus,” Davalos
added.
As part of the Chicano Latina
graduation San Diego City College
President Terrence Burgess gives a
speech, as well as a guest. This year,
the key-note speaker is scheduled to
be former student Gabby Gonzalez;
she currently studies at UC Berkeley.
Davalos said they try to have a
speaker who can share their experience
of transferring to four-year institutions
with the graduates.
Alejandro Madrid, a pre-med student
planning to transfer to either UC
Berkeley or UC Los Angeles, said he
decided to register for the graduation
because of its “intimate” atmosphere.
“It’s more personal, plus it feels
good to represent my culture. I
am bringing my grandma, my godparents,
uncles, aunts, cousins and
friends,” Madrid said.
Participants in the Chicano Latina
Graduation can also participate in the
general City College Graduation.