With high school nearing to its end, many seniors are looking to their parents for their ultimate comfort and support. Many students of Carbondale Community High School have parents that may not always understand the English language, but they still try their hardest to help and support their children, both graduated or graduating. There are only so many graduations a parent can witness; only so many generations that can make it to a graduation. After all, not all parents that come to this country have completed school or don’t get the chance to attend any schooling. Some children think they have to work twice as hard to make up for their parents’ troubles, but that simply isn’t the case in most families. Some families just want to see their children succeed. I spoke with Julia Chaparro, mother of a graduating senior, and how she feels about her children graduating high school. 

(Translated)

“Happy… happy, because… my family, siblings, nephews… have never graduated. I feel proud of both my daughters to have been able to make this accomplishment. That, even in our situation, that they had, they have accomplished to overcome.” 

Some parents get to see their children graduate. Seeing and knowing that your children are making it up in the world little by little is a parents dream. Chaparro goes on to explain how she feels now that her daughters are older.

(Translated)

“Uhh, well… I don’t know how to explain it. But… It’s a blessing now… having my daughters all grown. They are… Well, I can’t say it’s worrying, more the opposite. They are now… the worries are bigger now, but… the satisfaction is greater.”

My parents gave up lots for my older sister and I to have a better life and a better education, something they didn’t have. Chaparro and many other immigrant parents sacrifice a lot to give their children a better life and education, something that most of them really never had. Class of 2024, let’s all continue to make good choices, for ourselves and others.