Carrying on a family legacy through her name, Carmen Corona reflects on the pride in being a first generation college student.
Before high school, I’d likened the “highest level of parents’ education” question on surveys to just be an unimportant requirement. Growing up in my close-knit school and community in Richmond, my classmates and I were all just renditions of the so-called “American Dream” of our families – that was the norm.
But I slowly began to realize that being first-generation in my family was more than just a checkbox, but rather, a defining part of my cultural identity and heritage.
My parents came to the United States from Mexico at the age of 13 and 14. When they began working and going to school, they never stopped. Even today, they take each opportunity they can get to learn, to work, and give their all each time. Their desire for a better life has transcended decades, countries, and it isn’t going to stop with them. My cultural identity lies in being Mexican-American and in being a first-generation student, and carry that with pride. It means that when I graduate, I’ll be doing it for the people that couldn’t; for those that were too busy taking care of their families, too busy working.