42nd Honors Convocation Highlights Academic Excellence, Leadership, and Resilience at Hostos

 
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College proudly celebrated the achievements, resilience, and leadership of its students during the 42nd Honors Convocation, held in the College’s Main Theater before faculty, staff, families, and community supporters. The annual ceremony recognized outstanding academic performance, leadership, service, and perseverance among members of the graduating Class of 2026.
 
The Convocation featured remarks from Hostos President Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis, student leaders, faculty, and Provost Dr. Andrea Fabrizio, while honoring dozens of students across academic departments and special programs. The evening opened with a procession and musical performances by Professor Thelma Ithier-Sterling, who sang the National Anthem, and musicians from the Jazz Foundation of America.
 
In her remarks, Hostos President Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis celebrated the determination and spirit of the honorees, emphasizing the transformative power of education and community support.
 
“Our students remind us every day what perseverance, dedication, and hope can accomplish,” said Dr. Cocco De Filippis. “This Convocation is not only a celebration of academic achievement, but of courage, sacrifice, and the unwavering belief that education changes lives.”
   
One of the evening’s most moving moments came during the student address delivered by Salutatorian Luna Luna Martínez, an Early Childhood Education major whose achievements throughout her academic journey exemplified resilience, scholarship, and leadership. Martínez was recognized as the Salutatorian of the graduating Class of 2026 and also received the Paula L. Zajan Early Childhood Education Scholarship, the Bronze Award in Early Childhood Education, and Scholastic Achievement honors.
 
Speaking candidly about perseverance, self-doubt, and personal growth, Martinez reflected on the graduating class's shared struggles and triumphs. “Today, we stand as proof that dedication, effort, discipline, and perseverance lead to success,” Martinez said. “There were moments when we wanted to give up, moments when balancing school, work, family responsibilities, and life itself felt overwhelming. But we kept showing up for ourselves and for each other.”
 
Martinez also shared a deeply personal story about overcoming a difficult public-speaking experience earlier in her academic journey, explaining that the moment nearly caused her to lose confidence in herself. Instead, she chose to continue pushing forward.
 
“I decided to use my mistakes to move me forward instead of letting them stop me,” she said. “Sadly, many of us have faced challenges that made us question whether we could make it to this moment, and yet, here we are.”
 
Throughout her address, Martínez repeatedly emphasized gratitude toward families, professors, mentors, advisors, classmates, and support systems who helped students persist through adversity.
 
“Thank you for believing in us even when we struggled to believe in ourselves,” Martinez said. “This achievement belongs not only to us, but to everyone who supported us along the way.”
 
The Convocation recognized an extensive range of honors, including Presidential Student Leadership Awards, Foundation and Donor Scholarships, departmental awards, and special recognitions for academic excellence and leadership.
 
Foundation and donor-supported honors presented during the ceremony included the Foundation Honor Students Award; the Cocco De Filippis Family Scholarship; the John Anthony Chardavoyne Scholarship; the Dr. Nasry Michelen Memorial Endowment; the Professor Isabel Li Endowed Memorial Scholarship; the Paula L. Zajan Early Childhood Education Scholarship; and the Alumni Fund for Student Transfer Scholarships.
         
Among the evening’s highest distinctions were recognition of Valedictorian Lusdeliza Paulino Reyes, an AS Business Management graduate who will address the Class of 2026 during the Commencement Ceremonies on June 2 and 3, and Salutatorian Luna Luna Martínez. Students from programs spanning Allied Health Sciences, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Business, Education, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Computer Science, ESL, Leadership Academy initiatives, and STEM programs were also honored for exceptional achievement.
   
The ceremony additionally celebrated students receiving Scholastic Achievement Awards for maintaining cumulative GPAs of 3.7 or higher, recognizing their extraordinary academic commitment and dedication.
 
Closing the evening, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Andrea Fabrizio delivered heartfelt remarks reminding students that their accomplishments were built through countless everyday sacrifices and acts of perseverance.
   
“You have excelled in your courses, your degree programs, your service, and your leadership,” said Dr. Fabrizio. “But we know that achievements like these are built through many small triumphs along the way, balancing family, work, school, self-care, and every challenge life places before you. You should be incredibly proud of yourselves.”
     
Dr. Fabrizio concluded the ceremony with a resounding message to the honorees: “I hope you savor the joy of this achievement, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. A tremendous and resounding congratulations to all of you.”
   
The 42nd Honors Convocation reflected Hostos Community College’s enduring mission to uplift and empower students through academic excellence, leadership, and community engagement. As the Class of 2026 prepares for commencement and future endeavors, the evening served as both a celebration of accomplishment and a testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative power of higher education.