Celebrating Perseverance and Achievement: MWCC Honored Graduates from Dual Language Program

Mount Wachusett Community College hosted a special gathering on Tuesday, April 28, on the Leominster Campus to celebrate the accomplishments of students in the Dual Language (Spanish) Program. The event recognized 20 Latino graduates who completed the Early Childhood Care and/or Early Childhood Foundational Certificate this May.

The evening honored not only academic achievement, but also the determination, resilience, and commitment the students demonstrated throughout their educational journeys. Many of the graduates balanced family responsibilities, work, and the challenges of learning in a second language while pursuing their goals in higher education.

Among those celebrated were Altagracia Valdez and Dolores Tellerías, whose stories reflected the perseverance and strength found throughout the Latino community. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Valdez began her educational journey in 2009 and Tellerías began hers in 2010 through MWCC’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Over the years, they remained committed to their studies while navigating the challenges of adapting to a new country and language.

More than a decade later, Tellerías has earned both the Early Childhood Care Certificate and the Early Childhood Foundations Certificate, and Valdez an Associate of Science in Human Services, achievements that highlight their dedication to education and lifelong learning.

In a speech reflecting on her journey, Tellerías spoke candidly about the realities of immigrating to the United States as a single mother and the challenges she faced while pursuing her education.

“Being an immigrant is not easy,” Tellerías shared. “It means starting from scratch. It means leaving behind your homeland, your people, your traditions…and learning to live with longing in your heart. It means working hard, often in silence, without anyone seeing the sacrifice behind every achievement.”

Despite years of balancing work, motherhood, and family hardships, Tellerías never gave up on her dream of earning a college credential.

“I also learned something very important,” she said. “Dreams do not have an expiration date.”

She explained that earning her certificate as an early childhood educator represented more than a personal accomplishment.

“This achievement is not mine alone,” Tellerías said. “It belongs to my children, who have been my driving force…and it also belongs to every immigrant who has had to struggle in silence, who has worked tirelessly, who has cried in private…but who has never stopped dreaming.”

The gathering brought together students, families, faculty, and staff in celebration and reflection while highlighting stories that demonstrated the transformative power of education and community support.

MWCC’s Dual Language Program continues to create pathways for Spanish-speaking students to pursue careers in early childhood education while strengthening access to higher education within the region’s Latino community.

The celebration served as an uplifting recognition of not only academic success, but also the courage and perseverance that made these accomplishments possible.

Students who were recognized were:

Earning an Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education Career Degree, Early Childhood Education Certificate, and Early Childhood Foundational Certificate

• Noelia González Collazo

Earning an Early Childhood Education Certificate and Early Childhood Foundational Certificate

• Maria Arcila
• Fabiola Calderon
• Brenda Cano
• Michel De Jesús
• Susana Flores de Pineda
• Marina Fiorella Goyette
• Daniela Harretche
• Catherine Lugo
• Claudia Maciel
• Brenda Menjivar
• Annie D. Montalvo
• Marisabella Montoya
• Rosel C. Paulino
• Bernardo Ramirez
• Dolores Tellerías
• Maciel Vargas

Earning an Early Childhood Education Certificate

• Carolina Familia Ventura
• Estefania Germán
• Keyla Loja
• Ashly Martinez
• Mercedes Peña