Written by Mariela Herrera & Prof. Rose
Miramar, FL – To be chosen as the Student Commencement Speaker for the 20th Commencement of United International College was an honor Mariela Herrera was humbled to accept, but she admits that panic set in. “At that moment, I had a rush of mixed emotions and I thought, Why me?”
Mariela shared with her colleagues, parents, faculty, administration, and friends that she “was already struggling with the idea of now what? What is that I’m going to do now? How do I want to live my life after graduation? Believe me, I was getting the chills, but as I love challenges, and don’t like to disappoint, I embraced the task to be able to reflect deeper on my feelings and share them with you.”
She continued, “This is the big moment we all have been waiting for, a great milestone in our lives. The result of years of hard work and doing what many people decided not to do, STUDY!
Despite the many reasons or excuses they might have, we know that this journey was not easy and the sacrifice was big. I think we all believe in the greatness of higher education. Education is the most empowering force in the world for it creates knowledge, builds confidence, and breaks down barriers to opportunities. Each one of you know what you left behind to pursue your dreams of a higher education. The many holidays we spent at home doing essays and projects, the many beautiful things we didn’t buy because we needed to buy books and other items for successful submission of our work and completion of each course. For those who have children, and I know many of you do, the effort is even bigger as you needed to divide your time to do your school work and also be with your family and give them the needed support. You are the bravest of all, and your family should be very proud of you.
Mariela reminded those in attendance, “Many of us are individuals who left behind everything we knew to seek new opportunities in this land looking for a dream. Today is the day we start dreaming, again. Even though it is the end of a journey, it is the COMMENCEMENT of another. So, dream again now, but now you have a new tool in your pocket and tons of wonderful experiences and new friends and colleagues. When we walk out these doors today, I hope we never forget all the faces we met and the help we got from them and I know we will be able to find support in one another in the road ahead, for no one can succeed in complete solitude.
She concluded by saying, “ I wish for all of you, and myself, to be able to inspire others, to not let your fears make you settle for less of what you believe is your worth, to find the way to be happy living life doing what you love, and most important, to be your best version and let your light shine brightly.”
Mariela truly was a shining example of the graduates of United International College.
