Las Vegas first-generation grads celebrated through Co-Libre and Dolores Huerta Resource Center

NORTH LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Graduation season is underway across the valley, with thousands of students preparing to walk across the stage. For many first-generation students, getting to this moment wasn’t always guaranteed.

Behind the decorations on graduation caps are stories of hard work, sacrifice, and family.

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Co-Libre Education is partnering with the Dolores Huerta Resource Center to celebrate graduates.

“We’re getting to partner with the Dolores Huerta Resource Center to celebrate our graduates,” said Dr. Marcela Rodriguez Campo, founding director of Colibre Education.

Supporting first-generation students

Co-Libre Education is an organization that works to help first-generation students connect with resources to help them get to graduation.

First-generation students make up more than half of students nationwide, but only about 24 percent graduate. Dr. Campo said that’s what inspired her to start Co-Libre Education.

“I’m really proud of that. The first doctor in the family. And so, you know, you can’t be what you can’t see. So it’s really important that our students have people who look like them and sound like them that can show them the way,” Campo said.

For Dolores Maceda, graduating from the College of Southern Nevada is about more than herself.

“So both parents worked the fields. My mom mostly worked packing. So this was like a huge moment for me. You know, my dad’s not here anymore. But he passed away when I was seven. But I always wanted to honor him by finishing what I started,” Maceda said.

As she decorated her cap, Maceda added the handprints of her two children, a reminder of who kept her going.

“I want my children to know that mommy finished. Mommy went back and followed her dreams. And I hope that they can surpass what I’ve accomplished,” Maceda said.

Maceda is graduating in a couple of weeks.

She is sharing the moment with one of her children, who will be graduating from kindergarten.