Earning a bachelor’s or transferring from a community college to a four-year university is a momentous accomplishment. Being the first member of your family to do so? It makes the accomplishment even more memorable.

That’s why La Casa Student Housing is hosting an End of Year celebration on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at the La Casa Resource Center. Nine La Casa students are graduating from college or transferring to a four-year university, making this the largest graduating class in La Casa’s brief two-year history to date.

The time is right to start a new annual tradition to celebrate the hard work of its students, a sentiment echoed by La Casa’s Director, Maria Bucio.

“Graduating college is an exciting event,” says Bucio. “We want to make this a very exciting celebration so that students and their families realize that this is something to be proud of and get excited about!”

“People who work hard in life should have a moment of celebration for their hard work and accomplishments,” says Ruben Castro, a La Casa student from Roosevelt University. “Being the first in my family to earn a bachelor level degree is a major accomplishment and it means I can close a chapter in my life and be ready to begin a new and exciting one.”

The celebration will feature remarks by The Resurrection Project CEO Raul Raymundo, local leaders, and La Casa mentors. Each graduating student will get a chance to go onstage to thank their parents and mentors, and be presented with the following awards:

The Emerging Leader Award
Recognizes a student who has made significant contributions above and beyond what is normally called for in connection to community issues.

The Good Neighbor Award
Recognizes La Casa students who have influenced others in our living-learning community, are always willing to help in whatever capacity necessary, have a commitment to excellence, and a positive attitude.

The Visionary Award
Recognizes a student who sets goals and has a vision for the future. Nominees demonstrate tremendous growth over the past academic year and have taken advantage of the opportunities, resources, services, and spaces offered both at La Casa Student Housing and in the community to become well-rounded individuals.

The Dedication Award
Recognizes a student who often stays up late or rises early to study or work on projects.

The Social Justice Award
Recognizes one student who works to make our world a better place. Nominees are people who demonstrate courage, compassion, and leadership while working to eliminate discrimination, oppression, and injustice locally or globally.

The Entrepreneur Award
Recognizes one student who proposes innovative solutions.

The End of Year celebration will have a very festive atmosphere as La Casa and TRP staff look to establish a yearly tradition for its students.

“We want current and future students to look forward to this event,” says Bucio. “To know that their hard work will be recognized and celebrated by their peers, their mentors, family, and members of the community.”

To learn more about La Casa, please visit www.lacasastudenthousing.org.

Return to Nueva Vida April 2014 here.