From lockdown to cap and gown, San Fernando seniors triumph at graduation

Students at Cesar E. Chavez Social Justice Humanitas Academy in the town of San Fernando have not had an easy high school experience. No sooner had they learned their way around the halls as freshman, than they were plunged into the uncertainty of the COVID-19 lockdown and the isolation of distance learning.

The next year and a half were a struggle for students, many of whom came from low-income Latino families in the San Fernando Valley and watched as their loved ones lost their jobs and lives due to the pandemic. Nevertheless, they persisted and with the help of their counselor, principal and teachers, they prospered.

On Wednesday night, May 31, the school's 97 graduates proudly walked across the stage, collected their high school graduation diplomas, and stepped boldly into the future.

"I’m so very proud of these students," said Raquel Veloz, a senior counselor at the school. "Getting to graduation was difficult because a lot of them got used to the online learning, several of them fell behind a lot, and towards the end of the semester we weren't sure what was going to happen to some. But they all pulled through."

Graduates walk to their seats during graduation at Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academy for the Social Justice Humanitas Academy in San Fernando, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Teacher Caitlin Hightower hugs a graduate during graduation at Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academy for the Social Justice Humanitas Academy in San Fernando, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Decorated caps during graduation at Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academy for the Social Justice Humanitas Academy in San Fernando, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Laura Higareda places a lei around the neck of her daughter Laura Camarena before graduation at Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academy for the Social Justice Humanitas Academy in San Fernando, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Graduates walk with family members to their seats during graduation at Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academy for the Social Justice Humanitas Academy in San Fernando, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Graduates listen to speakers during graduation at Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academy for the Social Justice Humanitas Academy in San Fernando, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Jocelyn Urueta and Gaby Bueno take a photo during graduation at Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academy for the Social Justice Humanitas Academy in San Fernando, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The students walked out of the gymnasium dressed in robes and beautifully decorated caps bearing college logos, Mexican flags and messages of thanks to family members. The sights brought tears to the eyes of many parents.

This was certainly the case for Elizabeth Torres and Antonio Alvarez, who became overwhelmed with emotion in the moments before the ceremony. Their son Andy Alvarez had a tough middle school and high school experience, dealing with isolation and struggling to stay on top of his coursework.

"He had a rough time and we struggled, but we are here and we made it," said Torres, who said she is very grateful to the school for giving her son an individualized education program to help him catch up, reaching out to him when he was absent and encouraging him to apply to college.

Her advice to other parents whose children may also be struggling, "Always believe in them, always support them, always believe in them no matter what, because it's hard being a teenager and it is even harder if they are alone."

Andy said he is thankful for the support from his teachers and looks forward to studying engineering at Los Angeles Trade Technical-College this fall.

Pedro Rodriguez will also be enrolling in Los Angeles Trade Technical-College this fall and is proud to be the first person in his family to attend college.

"Since we got here all they were talking about is trying to send us to college," said Rodriguez who attributes his success to encouragement from his counselor and teachers, as well as "seeing what college can do for you, as I’ve watched people graduate and make their life."

The students were congratulated by teachers, administrators, friends and family members, And they even got recognition from LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho who spoke at their graduation.

"I have no doubt that I’m looking at diamonds in the rough," said Carvalho. "Diamonds come out from carbon, as a result of pressure, heat, difficulty and harshness. … That is you, you are hardened and brilliant. You have overcome challenges."

Carvalho gave a special acknowledgement to the parents who worked incredibly hard to get their children to this exciting milestone.

"There are graduates here tonight who are the first in your family to graduate, first in your family who are here in this nation to graduate," he said. "See this an an opportunity to prove your families and your parents right, and how the sacrifices they make are being honored by your existence in life."

Superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District Alberto M. Carvalho speaks during graduation at Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academy for the Social Justice Humanitas Academy in San Fernando, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Social Justice Humanitas Academy Principal Jeff Austin acknowledged the many barriers students overcame in making it to the graduation stage.

"Sometimes it felt like there were walls placed directly in our path," Austin said. "I’m sure you felt it too. Maybe you were the target of bullies in middle school, faced the tragic loss of a family member, found yourself homeless, living in tight quarters or simply had trouble passing math or getting an essay done."

Their principal said he couldn't be prouder of the graduating class of 2023 and looks forward to seeing all they accomplish in life.

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