Cyndi Loza

Reno students, educators and families chanted “Si, se puede” Thursday as they commemorated Hispanic high school and college graduates.

The phrase, Spanish for “Yes, it can be done,” was led by Daniel Enrique Pérez, keynote speaker and assistant professor of foreign languages and literatures at the University of Nevada, Reno.

“For every Latino student that graduates, we all graduate,” Pérez said.

The Sixth Annual Latino Convocation joined Hispanic graduates from Washoe County high schools, Truckee Meadows Community College and UNR. More than 200 people attended the event at the ballroom of the Joe Crowley Student Union at UNR.

“I think it’s pretty good to get recognized as a Latino because not many of us are graduating,” said Reed High School senior Maria Reyes, 17, who participated in the ceremony.

Watching Hispanic students in higher education also gives her hope, she said.

“It gives me inspiration seeing other people do it,” said Reyes, who plans to attend TMCC in the fall. “Makes me think I can do it.”

Steve Maples, UNR director of admissions, said the ceremony combines the efforts of local educational entities. “Whether it’s one thing or another, we’re competing entities but we all have the common goals,” said Maples, adding a UNR goal is to recruit more Hispanic students.

Fátima Rivas, Hispanic liaison specialist for the Washoe County School District, said the event is an important celebration of Latino achievement.

“Especially, now-a-days when the district is working on improving the graduation rate of all its students, and particularly minority students, it’s very important to celebrate the Hispanic students that successfully completed their high school education,” Rivas said.

About 53 percent of the school district’s Hispanic students graduate from high school, Rivas said. She said the event not only honors the educational achievements of Latino youth but provides them with a close network of support that encourages a post high school education.

“We need to provide role models for these students and sometimes it’s necessary to assemble as a minority community to emphasize that support,” Rivas said.