Lights, Color, and Celebración. It was a full house, with more than 300 people, at the 9th Annual Ascender Celebración. The ceremony was held May 2 at ACC Highland Campus in the Austin PBS Black Box studio. 70 Ascender Catch the Next students were recognized for completing their program.

The evening started with Luis Patiño, CEO of PBS, introducing a performance by students from Leander Elementary School showcasing Ballet Folklórico. Graduates also enjoyed a musical performance by Xunaxhii, a graduating senior from Leander High School. Celia Israel, former Texas Representative, delivered the keynote address. 

ACC Board of Trustee Secretary Dr. Manny Gonzalez and Manager of ASCENDER Alejandra Polcik presented all the students with their graduation stoles. ASCENDER Coordinator Diana Gorostieta Martinez presented a special recognition to outstanding students, advisors, professors, and mentors.

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, celebración, graduation, Hispanic, Spring 2024 Commencement, Spring 2024 Graduation