An hour before the Berkeley High School Latine Unidos graduation ceremony began, the space buzzed with seniors and families lining up for food, listening to the event’s eight-piece mariachi band, and catching up.
The ceremony began with a bilingual introduction by Doreen Bracamontes, the district’s Program Manager of Counseling & Wellness, who thanked the organizers of the event. She gave a special appreciation for BHS Spanish teacher Susi López, who worked with this year’s BHS Latinx Unidos club presidents to expand the club.
“This year, we have 60 students participating here tonight. Last year it was 40,” Bracamontes said.
After a biligual speech by club presidents Marcia Gonzalez and Jaslene Sanchez, BHS Principal Juan Raygoza took the stage.
“When you arrived at (BHS), you brought with you the dreams of your families, your cultural pride, and your lived experience. You did it in an educational system that hasn’t always reflected who you are. With too great a frequency, school asks Latinx students to leave their identity to the side to be successful, but you did not allow that,” Raygoza said, in Spanish, “this night is not an ending. It is a reflection of everything you are and have accomplished, and it is also a new beginning.”
After Raygoza’s speech concluded, local mariachi group Flor de Oro took the stage for the second time of the night, playing until it was time for graduates to walk the stage and receive their graduation sashes. As Raygoza and BHS Spanish teacher Itziar Aperribay presented students with their sashes, López read out appreciations written by the seniors.
“Berkeley is better thanks to you and what you have done here the last four years,” Raygoza said to graduates, “You did it as individuals ... but you never walked alone.”
Note: In light of recent Immigration Enforcement activity in the U.S., organizers have asked the Jacket not to publish any information regarding time or place of this ceremony.