{"id":6194,"date":"2015-05-20T11:08:27","date_gmt":"2015-05-20T16:08:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/resurrectionproject.org\/?p=6194"},"modified":"2020-01-06T05:30:18","modified_gmt":"2020-01-06T05:30:18","slug":"trp-and-la-casa-host-second-annual-end-of-year-celebration-for-graduates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/resurrectionproject.org\/es\/trp-and-la-casa-host-second-annual-end-of-year-celebration-for-graduates\/","title":{"rendered":"TRP and La Casa host second annual End of Year Celebration for graduates"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Diana Pando<\/em><\/p>\n

On Saturday, April 18, The Resurrection Project (TRP) and La Casa Student Housing hosted the second annual End-of-Year Celebration at La Casa Student Housing, which has become a much anticipated rite of spring for students.<\/p>\n

For many students and their families, this celebration is a moment of great pride because they\u2019re the first in their family to graduate from college. This year\u2019s La Casa graduating class includes 16 students receiving a Bachelor\u2019s or Master\u2019s degree ranging from education to marketing. The End-of-Year Celebration honors and recognizes this achievement.\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt makes me proud to see all of these students who have persisted and worked hard during the year to get to this point,\u201d said Maria Bucio, Director of La Casa.<\/p>\n

\"\"The event kicked off with a rousing welcome from Raul Raymundo, CEO of TRP. \u201cThis year, TRP celebrates 25 years of building healthy communities,\u201d said Raul. \u201cWe are committed to doing more in five years than we\u2019ve done in the last 25 years.\u201d He congratulated the parents in the audience for supporting their sons and daughters in their educational pursuits. He also spoke on the importance of students being prepared to enter this new era to become leaders in their communities.<\/p>\n

The event\u2019s keynote speaker was Julian Posada, VP of Marketing & Strategy at Wapports\/LLC \u2013 Sun-Times Media Group. He recounted his family\u2019s struggles of being the first in his family to go to college in the United States. \u201cMy father always told me to work hard and do my best work,\u201d said Julian. He encouraged the graduates to challenge themselves and go beyond doing their best work.<\/p>\n

After the keynote address ended, the graduating students were called up to the stage to receive a satin purple stole and a certificate from TRP. Once assembled onstage, the students were asked to share a few words about this important moment in their lives.<\/p>\n

Many students gave emotionally charged testimonials about living at La Casa and being the first to graduate in their family. \u201cI received tremendous support when I really needed it and living at La Casa helped me connect with students with the same struggles,\u201d said Ulises Pico, a Columbia College student. \u201cThe resources offered at La Casa helped motivate me and helped me graduate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Another student who spoke was Dulce Hernandez, a University of Illinois at Chicago student and one of three La Casa interns working at TRP. She remarked on how the internship program has helped her develop professionally, strengthen her resume, and secure new internships. \u201cLa Casa is more than just housing because we are exposed to mentors and resources,\u201d said Dulce. \u201cIt\u2019s a great opportunity for those that are first generation going to college.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Beaming parents and friends gathered afterwards for congratulatory hugs and well wishes.\u00a0 <\/span>Mrs. Pati\u00f1o, a proud and misty-eyed parent, said, \u201cat first we were reluctant to let our daughter live away from home.\u201d After getting more information, they decided that living at La Casa was an opportunity to help their daughter grow. \u201cI encourage other parents to visit La Casa and talk to the youth who live here,\u201d said Mrs. Pati\u00f1o.<\/p>\n

After the event ended people streamed into the sun-filled Z\u00f3calo to take more photos.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen students live at La Casa, they get more than just housing,\u201d said Maria Bucio. \u201cThey get a dedicated staff working year-round to provide them with the academic support they need to graduate.\u201d<\/p>\n

This transformative experience for students could not be possible without the generous support of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation and two anonymous donors.<\/p>\n