182 CCISD students were recognized at the annual First in Family Ceremony for reaching a major milestone.<\/p>\n
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas \u2014 An emotional celebration took place Wednesday evening at Veterans Memorial High School as the Corpus Christi Independent School District honored students breaking barriers for their families.<\/p>\n
For the 14th year, CCISD hosted its annual First in Family Ceremony, recognizing students who are the first in their families to graduate high school and pursue higher education. This year, 182 students were recognized during the event.<\/p>\n
CITGO also awarded several students with $1,000 college scholarships to help support their futures.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first scholarship I\u2019ve received so far … being first in family is something I\u2019m very proud of. It\u2019s a cycle I get to break,\u201d said guest speaker and CCISD graduate Catherine Salinas. \u201cAnd I\u2019m happy \u2014 I\u2019m happy to be the first in my family to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
CCISD Superintendent\u00a0Roland Hernandez\u00a0said the ceremony reflects the support students receive throughout their educational journey.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey say that it takes a village to raise a child and a student, and many of our students have many challenges from the beginning of when they enter school to the day they graduate,\u201d Hernandez said. \u201cI think it just says a lot that the district has come together to support them in every way we can and their parents to reach this milestone. And so we\u2019re happy to recognize them tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
District leaders said the ceremony highlights students who are not only earning diplomas, but also setting an example for future generations.<\/p>\n
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