[Untitled]

The piece I created is a portrait of my dad and me, capturing a moment from my graduation ceremony last June. In the image, I’m holding a diploma from East Los Angeles Community College and a bouquet of flowers, symbols of achievement and celebration. This ceremony was a milestone I’ll never forget, and having my family there meant the world to me, especially since they made the effort to attend despite their busy schedules. It was particularly emotional for my dad, and I know it was because he was so proud of me.

I have to admit, this is probably the best photo we have together—it’s one of the few where my dad isn’t crying. This moment holds even more significance for me because I’m the first in my family to attend college. It’s a reflection of both my personal journey and the hard work of my family. I see this graduation as just the beginning of my academic path, and I can’t help but imagine how they will react when I eventually graduate from UCSD.