All honorees enjoyed delicious food, inspiring remarks, and camaraderie at the FDR Room.
On Monday, April 15, Hostos Community College celebrated the unwavering resilience and outstanding achievements of 17 exceptional students during the President’s Recognition Barbeque in Honor of Student Resiliency.
Hosted by the Office of the President, the special luncheon honored resilient students who have overcome significant challenges while still pursuing their academic goals. During her welcoming remarks, President Daisy Cocco De Filippis expressed immense pride as she looked around at the roomful of students with their mentors, and she invited student and honoree Leyla Caballero to recite with her a poem that she had selected for the occasion — “Reassurance,” by Alice Walker. “This is about education, how we grow as we learn, and how we absolutely need to also celebrate the person we are becoming,” she explained.
President Daisy Cocco De Filippis (right) reading a poem by Alice Walker with student Leyla Caballero (left).
The celebratory luncheon was moderated by Carlos Rivera, Director of Admissions and Recruitment, who lauded students for their commitment to excellence, remarkable perseverance and demonstrated ability to overcome “various challenges with grace and determination.”
In his keynote address, Siddique Mohamed, Director of ASAP at Hostos, also commended the honorees on their immovable spirits and acknowledged how difficult it can sometimes be to recognize one’s own resilience when they are in survival mode. He implored them to take that present moment to reflect on their resilience and bask in the well-deserved recognition they were receiving. “That’s what this whole day is about — is you being resilient and your perseverance and really being able to push past the obstacles that are in front of you,” he said. “One thing that life has really taught me is that if you’re going to be successful or you’re going to make it, that’s a skill you must have, and you each have it because you’re sitting here today.”
Siddique Mohamed delivering his keynote speech.
Then came time to shine the light on the honorees of the hour: Derika Kristi-Ann Bailey, Kimberly Bell, Nakia Benjamin, Steven Blair, Stephanie Brioso, Leyla Caballero, Regina Dixon, Afnan Farea, Erika Francis, Alejandra Garcia, Chasaty Harris, Susan Hu, Gerald Hysenaj, Bettina Ingaran, Jean Lewis, John Santana, and Heather Teitz. They were each presented with a certificate of recognition and a stipend and book.
The honorees, nominated by immensely proud faculty and staff members, shared incredible, moving stories of triumph through adversity — including personal setbacks, navigating college as an international student, changing careers, returning to school after a long hiatus, and juggling a family and their studies. They also expressed gratitude for the support they’ve found at the College — be it in campus resources, faculty or staff, or their fellow classmates. “I know that life is full of surprises and challenges, but having overcome and face it defines who we are,” remarked Betinna Ingaran. “So this award is a reminder of the setbacks that made us who we are today.”
(L-R) Professor Yoel Rodríguez with his student honoree John Santana.
Sponsored by Ms. MacKenzie Scott’s Gift: President’s Initiatives, the President’s Barbeque in Honor of Student Resiliency was the second of two events honoring students’ perseverance this spring. The President’s Recognition Tea in honor of Women’s History Month took place in March.
Students were nominated by proud faculty and staff from the Hostos community.