Recognizing that graduations are monumental for Latinx students as many are first-generation students or even first-generation immigrants, Jolt created the Adelante Virtual Graduation in June 2020 to celebrate them and their achievements. Congratulations to our Texas graduates, who have navigated this challenging time with courage and grace! We at Jolt believe that young Latinos have the power to transform our state into a place where everyone has a seat at the table, and this new generation of young leaders embodies that.
Here you will find digital commencement addresses from journalist and Jolt board member Paola Ramos, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, and profiles of Texans graduating from education institutions across the state.
Adrianna Nicole Gonzalez
Stephen F. Austin State University
Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Minor: Early Intervention
Honors: Summa Cum Laude
Notable Achievments/Involvement:
President of the Jolt Chapter at Stephen F. Austin State University
Future plans: “Work as a speech pathology assistant for a year then attend graduate school for my doctorate degree.”
Ana Teresa Fuentes
Canyon High School
Honors: Cum Laude
Involvement: Member of Canyon High School Jolt Chapter
Future plans: Will be attending UT Austin and majoring in Government/Pre-Law with the goal of becoming an immigration attorney.
Briana Alexis Fabela
Texas A&M University
Major: B.A. in Business Admin in Marketing – Sales
Certificates: Professional Event Management
Honors: Cum Laude
Involvement:
President of Sigma Lamba Gamma National Sorority Inc. (Latina Founded & Mulitucultural based)
Aggie Greek Woman of the Year
Future plans: To one day create experiences and memories for others with event sales in the hospitality industry
Daisy Martinez
Relay Graduate School of Education
Major/Degree: Masters of Education (M.A.)
Future plans: “Continue to fight for education equity!”
Jennifer Torres
University of Texas at Dallas
Major: B.S. in Psychology and Child Learning & Development
Noteable Achievements and Involvement: President of Jolt Chapter at UT-Dallas, President of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Student worker for Office of Admissions.
Future plans: “I’m planning to pursue a Specialist Degree in School Psychology at TWU this upcoming fall. I hope to become a School Psychologist in Texas after completing this program so that I can continue to give back to my community”.
Joice Evelin Acosta
Stephen F. Austin State University
Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Notable Achievements:
Born in Mexico City, MX (DACA Recipient), Initiated Jolt Chapter at SFA in 2019.
Involvement: Secretary for Jolt Chapter at SFASU.
Future plans: Work as a Bilingual SLP-Assistant for a Pediatric clinic. After a year or to go back to grad school and get my masters in Speech Pathology with an emphasis in Bilingualism.
José Solis
Caney Creek High School
Honors: Summa Cum Laude
Noteable Achievements and Involvement: President of Jolt Chapter at Conroe. NSDA National Qualifier.
Future plans: Texas A&M University Class of ’24. Intended Degree: Society, Ethics and Law. Attend law school and become a Juris Doctor after undergrad.
Keyli Sandoval
University of Houston
Major: B.A. in Political Science
Honors: Magna Cum Laude
Notable Achievements:
Poder Quince Outreach Specialist for Jolt. First Generation College Attendee and Graduate
Future plans: I plan to attend law school to become an immigration attorney.
Kamiwa Pili Mayasa Gyasi
University Of Texas at Austin
Major: Public Health Concentration in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Minor: History
Future plans: Fighting for the end of police brutality and racism in America. And I hope to get my masters soon in public health and food studies to one day be able to have community gardens in black and brown communities to address food deserts and restore food sovereignty.
Kimberly Evelyn Olea
Rice University
Major: History and Psychology
Minor: Politics, Law and Social Thought
Honors: Cum Laude
Involvement: President of Jolt Chapter at Rice University
Future plans: SMU Dedman School of Law Class of 2023
Lucero Argüello
University of Texas at Austin
Major: International Relations and Global Studies
Certificate: Children and Public Policy
Future plans: 2020 Corps Member at Teach For America, HISD Elementary Teacher