On June 23rd, 2023, students and families gathered outside Sachem East High School’s football field. Over 500 students took the center of the field, their bright red robes and customized graduation caps facing the crowd. The students eagerly waited for their class president to make the announcement, for them to turn their tassels, and for their graduation to be official. The last four years led up to this moment; everything was all for the diploma. 

A high school diploma’s importance varies among people. A simple piece of paper, a check box on their resume, or a stepping stone in their academic career. My high school diploma is a reminder of my accomplishments and my background. 

This is a photo of my family on my graduation day. Immediately to the left of me is my mother, Tammy, whom only received her high school diploma and sacrificed her education to raise a family. My mother always had big dreams, but her selflessness and love for family she’s always valued most of all. I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish anything I have if it weren’t for her unconditional love and support. My high school diploma is a symbol of her sacrifices that helped others. 

Next to her is my father, Peter, a first-generation son who was the first to graduate college. My dad has worked tirelessly since childhood to give me the life I have today. He taught me the importance of hard work and the determination you need to achieve your goals. He worked to get himself and his parents out of the dangerous streets of Hollis, Queens to the suburbs. He’s given up everything to give us everything. My diploma is a symbol of the lessons he’s taught me about hard work.

My dad has his hands around my two little brothers, PJ and Ethan, and next to them is my older sister, Angelina. My little brothers are my motivation for most of the things I do. Watching them grow up, I want to continue to watch them grow into someone they are proud of. After I started college, it opened doors for PJ to begin thinking the same, something he never cared for before. Angelina is one of my biggest supporters in everything I do. Since I’ve been a kid, she’s believed in me and encouraged me the most. Though college wasn’t for her, she continues exploring possibilities of returning to school or pursuing her passion for art. My diploma is a symbol to them that they are capable of anything. 

My grandparents are Maria and Pedro, but we call them Mafita and Abuelo. My grandparents are arguably some of the most influential people in this regard. They immigrated from Colombia with essentially nothing but the clothes on their backs. They relentlessly worked three jobs to provide for my father and his sister. Neither of them had the chance to graduate high school, as they began working at such a young age. I am consistently reminding myself of how lucky I am to have the chance to be an educated woman. The first woman in my family to graduate college. My grandmother unexpectedly passed away a couple of months after my graduation, so unbeknownst to me this would be the first and last recognition she saw me receive. She was over the moon for me that day, and I know I will continue to make her proud. I’m studying Spanish to become fluent and stay connected with my culture, which has always been very important to them. My diploma is a symbol of brighter beginnings after significant sacrifices. 

Finally, what does this diploma mean to me specifically? This diploma is a symbol of my overcoming challenges I never thought I could. My struggle with mental health during my high school years started leading me to believe I may not make it to this point, or I may not accomplish anything I wanted to. The top of my graduation cap reads “She knows she lived through it to get to this moment.” Regardless of feeling like nothing was possible, this was possible. This diploma is a symbol that was only my beginning, that I’m capable of so much more, and I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of my family.