(inspiring music)
- We are very proud of you.
All your accomplishments,
all your hard work, your dedication, your hunger.
You have changed the generations to come.
I know you're going to give back.
- We know that she's going to make a difference
in so many people's lives.
That's for sure, yeah. (laughing)
- It feels amazing.
I'm really proud of myself for doing this.
-The experience has been so good here,
especially the campus, it's beautiful.
- I worked in X-ray research at Biodesign C for the CXFEL.
We just earned that really big grant
and we're super excited.
- ASU is a well-known international educational institution
that has a good rank among the top 200 universities,
so it was a good option to choose
and especially that it had the online program provided.
Next, let's go to work.
Let's hit it out to the field!
See what we're going to do.
- Though this is an ending,
it's also a new beginning to my career now.
- I'll be moving to California to start my career
in the cardiovascular industry.
- As soon as I graduate next week,
I'm going to be going back to Irvine, California
to work as a quality manufacturing engineering intern
for Edwards Lifesciences.
- Next, I'm moving to Chicago
and I'm starting a job
in corporate finance at Northern Trust.
- In August, I'm moving to DC, so I'm going to be a fellow
with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
and I'm going to be working in Capitol Hill for some time.
And then I'm going to transfer
over to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
But I'm very, very excited.
- So I'm actually starting at grad school.
I'm starting at ASU again,
I'm doing the master’s in narrative in emerging medias
which is in the California Center in LA.
- I didn't pick ASU, ASU picked me.
My mom has been my biggest support.
She's the one who I cried to when finals were too hard.
- Wow, I did not expect to be... (crying)
Oh, like I just don't know where to begin.
This isn't just my dream, this is both of our dreams.
- She's my hero, because her tenacity is unmeasured.
- I started school when my daughter was six months old.
And I've been going to school ever since
and my sister's been every step beside me all the way.
Thank you, T!
You believed in me when I quit construction and came back
so I really appreciate you.
Thank you for being here on my brightest and biggest day.
- Aw, I'm so proud of you.
- Oh, she's going to cry!
Thank you, mom.
- I couldn't be more proud of this guy.
I mean, he's given me everything
and I wouldn't be here without him.
And he's the ultimate example
of what I would hope to be as a student
and who I hope to be in life.
So he's my Superman.
- My mom also unfortunately passed away
three years ago, almost.
So I know I can feel her love so, so present with me
and it's really special
to just get to dedicate this to her, too.
- So this is my grandmother, we call her Bamma.
She is no longer with us
but she was my biggest support system.
- Thank you so much for supporting me and believing in me,
that my subject that I chose was really good for me.
- Just, thank you!
- Of course.
- For everything. - You're welcome.
You're very welcome.
I am so, so proud of you, daughter.
I know you’re achieving what you dreamt and spoke of this whole time.
- I'm grateful that you did this and got through it
and you took advantage of every opportunity you had here
so you really embraced it,
not only school, but just being independent.
- Seeing your mastery of musicianship grow and grow
but also you as a human,
it's been great.
- Oh my goodness, they're so inspiring.
They work so hard.
They are very focused.
- We're new here, but now we can say
that we can call Arizona home, so the definitely,
thank you for everything that you've given me,
and I love you.
- Aw, I love you too.
I couldn’t be here without you all.
All the support you sent.
Your love, guidance and everything.
(all cheering)
(inspiring music)