Celebración!
Ascender held its closing ceremony at the Austin Community College District (ACC) Eastview Campus, Friday, May 5th, 2023. Over 200 students, families, professors, advisors, mentors, and administrators gathered to commemorate their first year of college of Ascender students.

To start, Dr. Gary Moreno, Director of the Latin American Cultural Center at ACC, talked about the importance of 5 de Mayo. Close to 60 students were recognized one by one on stage with their stole by Dr. Ruth Reinhart, Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Support Services, and Dr. Shasta Buchanan, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, who also shared a few words of encouragement. Upon students receiving their stole, the keynote speaker Travis County Attorney Delia Garza, gave a motivational speech that inspired everyone present. Diana Gorostieta Martinez, the Hispanic Outreach Coordinator, was the Master of ceremonies that evening.

There was a range of performances, including a performance of a song in Zapotec to a surprise Aztec dance accompanied by drums aimed to embrace the culture and celebrate indigenous heritage. Lastly, guests enjoyed delicious Mexican cuisine with the accompaniment of live mariachi music.

Ascender is a student support organization created to help improve the educational outcomes of Latino and underserved student populations throughout the state. For more information, visit austincc.edu/ascender.

Tags: Ascender, celebration, Eastview Campus, Latin American Cultural Center