Celebrating the Class of 2023
Vesper Society links arms with leaders and communities to uplift through service, break down barriers, and elevate community voices. This month we honor the Class of 2023 who lived through the pandemic and had to cope with loss, grief, and social isolation. We celebrate their spirit and perseverance and wish them the best as they begin their college experience in the fall. (Photo Credit: Esteban Ojeda, Holtville Tribune)
From the Imperial Valley, we congratulate three students who received Exemplary Community scholarship awards from the IVROP Community Foundation.
Robert Urena served the El Centro community with over 800 community service hours. He coached in Special Olympic events, helped clean up neighborhood parks, and assisted senior citizens. Robert will be attending Imperial Valley College and aspires to become an athletic director.
Jaira Betancourt served over 300 community service hours at the El Centro Regional Medical Center and participated in the Health Occupations Students of America. Jaira will be attending Imperial Valley College and is interested in healthcare.
Laura Avila served over 275 hours at the El Centro Regional Medical Center and participated in the allcove program at Stanford University. Laura will be attending UC San Diego and will pursue a psychology degree with a specialization in clinical psychology.
From South Los Angeles we congratulate all graduating seniors who were part of the Kid City program and will start their college careers in the next few months.
Bhea Bourbon — CSU Long Beach, Nursing Program
Kimberly Navarro – UCLA, Nursing
Lizbeth Ramirez — UC Davis, Biological Sciences
Hilary Rocha Gonzalez – UC Irvine, Public Health Sciences
Magaly Chuta – UC Irvine, Biological Sciences
Daniel Martinez – CSU Los Angeles, Chemistry
Nicole Moreno – CSU Northridge, Engineering
Alex Ordonez – CSU Fullerton, Occupational Therapy
Jasmine Lara, Hannah Diaz, and Jessica Hernandez — UCLA, Healthcare
Matthew Bolaños — UC Riverside, Health Sciences
Vivian Morales — California Institute of Technology, Engineering
We are thrilled to see so many students entering the field of healthcare and for them, we share words of encouragement by Edward Hinton at the Faces for the Future Alameda County graduation in 2017.
“I always say working in healthcare is a calling. You have to have a passion for helping others.…As you step into the future of healthcare, it is important to know that you are going to see, hear and experience a variety of circumstances. Some will be more challenging than others. But if your heart is in it and if you maintain your focus, you will be successful no matter what the challenge might be.…Our mission is caring, healing, teaching, and serving all.”
For all students, we send you off into the future with Tom Hanks’ parting words at this year’s Harvard commencement ceremony. “May goodness and mercy follow you all the days, all the days of your lives. Godspeed. Congratulations.”
We celebrate the Class of 2023! We are so proud of you! With their presence, we are one step closer to a vision of a world that protects human dignity and enhances human potential.