Nuestras-Raices-Celebration-Honors-Graduates.php

Cultural Celebration Honors Graduates

• Events
• 05/14/2025

Rock Valley College proudly celebrated graduates' cultural heritage, academic achievements, and personal journeys at the Nuestras Raíces event on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Translating to "Our Roots," the annual celebration brought together nearly 60 graduating students, their families, and community members in a vibrant and heartfelt tribute to identity, perseverance, and community.

 

Held in an atmosphere filled with pride and gratitude, the event kicked off with a warm welcome delivered in both English and Spanish by RVC President Dr. Howard Spearman. In a touching moment, Dr. Spearman shared that while he doesn't speak Spanish, he made it a point to read his greeting in Spanish to honor the spirit of the event.

"Success is contagious," he told the crowd. "And today, we celebrate your success. Cultural excellence matters at Rock Valley College, and we thank you for believing in us as much as we believe in you."

Student speaker Perla Esquer delivered a heartfelt message to the crowd. She overcame many challenges on her journey from Mexico to the United States while learning English and adapting to a new culture.

"Today, we celebrate not just degrees," she said. "We celebrate strength, dreams, and the community that helped bring us here." Perla encouraged her peers to see their degrees as more than academic accomplishments but as symbols of resilience and hope. "Our roots are not limitations," she said. "They are the foundation of our future."

Throughout the event, themes of culture, belonging, and academic pride were woven into every moment, from the bilingual remarks and student recognitions to the vibrant presence of family and community. Graduates were honored for their achievements, who they are, and where they come from.

The college has an ongoing commitment to celebrating cultural excellence and uplifting the unique stories that shape its campus community, and the annual Nuestras Raíces celebration is a part of that.

The message was clear: success is not a solitary journey, and at Rock Valley College, every student's roots are not only welcomed—they are celebrated.