Members of the Breakthrough community gathered at Stubb’s BBQ to commemorate the graduation of more than 50 new college graduates from the class of 2022. The Breakthrough Graduates Banquet, held annually, is an intimate gathering for our most recent college graduates and their families. This life-changing achievement of becoming a first-generation college graduate marks the realization of a 12-year journey and commitment each of these students made in 6th grade.
Students and families enjoyed bar-b-q bites, mingled with fellow graduates and heard from Breakthrough College Completion staff and Breakthrough student speaker, Aileene Rosales. To conclude the program, Breakthrough staff asked each graduate to come on stage and be recognized and applauded for their achievements. The floor opened up for graduates and family members to have the opportunity to share memories from their 12-year Breakthrough experience.
To my fellow Breakthrough college graduates in the audience, I want to say, I am so proud to say that you are graduating too. I always feel like you can point out the Breakthrough students in any room, because they’re smart and they’re hard-working…you can just tell. We’ve overcome so many obstacles to get to where we are today and there might be other obstacles that pop up that make it seem like everything is falling apart, but remember how much you’ve already accomplished, and that you can get through anything and more after this because the barrier has finally been broken.
– Aileene Rosales, St. Edward’s University, Class of 2022
CLASS OF 2022 Graduates
Marlene Huerta, University of Texas at Austin
Breonna Ray, University of Texas at San Antonio
Yesenia Aviles, Texas A&M University
Robert Evans, University of Texas at San Antonio
Giselle Rodriguez, Texas State University
Da’Keona Jones, Texas State University
Mackenzie Alexander, Texas State
Jackie Martinez, Texas State University
Bryan Garcia, Texas State University
Veronica Carrera, Texas State University
Beth Rocha, Texas State University
Jocelyn Sanchez, Texas State University
Andrea Grimaldo, Texas State University
Morgan Grimaldo, Texas State University
Gustavo Salinas, Texas State University
Ajanae Spence, Texas State Unviersity
Ishajanek Overton, Austin Community College
Abisai Andrade, Southern New Hampshire University
Brandon Perez, University of Houston-Victoria
Travion Walker, Concordia University
Kaomi Matos, St. Edward’s University
Juan J. Garcia, St. Edward’s University
Raul Trujillo, St. Edward’s University
Norma Reyes, St. Edward’s University
Folsade Fashina, Howard University
Nayeli Barcenas Perez, Austin Community College
Sherlyn Vargas, Austin Medical Assistant School
Melanie Campos, St. Edward’s University
Eddy Sanchez, St. Edward’s University
Ronald Leon Ugarte, Teas State Technical College
Francisco Herrera, Roeffler School of Hair Design
Aileene Rosales, St. Edward’s University
Mariana Monroy, University of Texas at Austin
Jorge Villa, University of Texas at Austin
Asia Dockery, University of Texas at Austin
Lupe Brena, University of North Texas
Nazareth Gonzalez, The College of Health Care Professions
Demetria Brown, Huston-Tillotson University
Matteo Sarmiento, University of Texas at Dallas
Rodrigo “Trey” Vivar III, University of North Texas
Stacy Navarro, Austin Dental Assistant Academy
Jose Zubieta, Texas A&M College Station
Maria Jose Martinez Ruiz, Trinity College
Stefany Rodriguez, Texas A&M College Station
Geovanny Rodriguez, Texas A&M College Station
Seth Granados, Austin Community College
Ymani McIntosh, Howard University
Carmen Hernandez, Austin Community College
Check out the list of all Breakthrough graduates here.