The tent on Manchester field echoed with the cheers of proud families and friends during the Karamu Ya Wahitimu Celebración de los Graduados Wednesday. 

Students danced, smiled and cried as they commenced across the stage.

The event, organized by the Student Multicultural Center, was a pre-commencement celebration and final Rites of Passage ceremony for African American, Native American, Latinx, Hispanic and Multiracial graduates.

The ceremony featured two student speakers, Erik Gomez and Ariana Bliss. 

Gomez is graduating with a degree in political science. In his time on campus, he has been involved with Undergraduate Student Government, and Spanish and Latino Student Association.

“Today I’d like to share my leadership journey and how we all have dignity in the work that we do,” he said. 

Gomez started his life in the south of Miami, where he grew up. He said his parents are immigrants, and his father worked as an Uber driver while his mother raised him and his sister. 

“They taught me the value and dignity of hard work, and that I would never get anything for free,” Gomez said. “I was a first generation college student. So it was kind of up to me to figure out the college application process for myself.”

Gomez explained his accomplishments throughout college. He said he joined the Undergraduate Student Government to be an advocate for students. He said though he lost his campaign to become student body president in 2022, he kept advocating regardless. 

“At the time, it felt like the biggest failure of my life,” he said. “But then I started reading about my favorite elected representatives, and they too actually lost multiple elections before gaining their first seat. It turns out we don’t really need a title to advocate for your community.”

In the Spring 2023 semester, Gomez had an internship working in the office of a U.S. senator.

He said his journey has been about believing in himself before anything else. He ended with a word of encouragement for fellow graduates.

“Keep writing. Keep working. Keep fighting. take up space and screw those statistics,” he said. 

Ariana Bliss, who is graduating with a bachelor’s in fine arts, spoke next. In her time at Kent State, Bliss served as vice president of the Spanish and Latino Student Association and vice president of Delta Sigma Theta. 

Bliss also recently completed a mural called “Legacy,” which resides in the Student Multicultural Center Satellite Space in the Tri-Towers Rotunda. 

“Legacy: it is what we leave behind, when we are gone,” she said. “It’s the impact we make on the world and the memories we create in the minds of those we believe in.” 

Bliss explained the legacy of this year’s graduates.

“Your time here at Kent State University has been an opportunity to shape your legacy, to build a foundation for the rest of your life,” she said. “I encourage you to think about the kind of legacy you want to leave behind. Be intentional with your choices, and strive to make a positive impact on the world around you.”

Associate Vice President of student affairs Cesquinn Curtis took the podium next, addressing the graduates. 

“Allow me the opportunity to connect with what’s in front of me. These graduates that’s on the cusp of something great,” he said. “Congratulations.”

Curtis spoke about the value of each graduate’s degree. He said the degree not only symbolizes hard work in education, but every experience that led to this moment. 

“Your degree is not just a piece of paper,” he repeated. “Your degree is not just a piece of paper, is a symbol of your hard work, your dedication, your commitment to learning.”

He transitioned to a challenge for the graduates. 

“I dare you to be great,” he said.

Curtis ended the speech with more words of encouragement.

“As you prepare to leave campus, you may feel a sense of imposter syndrome. Don’t. You may feel as though you’re not ready. Don’t. You may feel as though you don’t belong or you’re not good enough. Don’t,” he said. “I urge you to not fall captive to that mentality. You have earned your place here.”

The evening concluded with each graduate walking the stage while their messages of gratitude for family, friends and mentors were read aloud. 

After the ceremony, families embraced, teary-eyed, with overwhelming pride for the accomplishments of the Kent State class of 2023.

Grace Springer is Editor-in-Chief. Contact her at [email protected]