The 20th Annual Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Graduate Celebration

At this year’s Asian Pacific Islander (API) Cultural Graduate Celebration, master of ceremonies and Justice, Community, and Leadership Professor Manisha Anantharaman welcomed 33 graduating students and their families for the joyous celebration in the Chapel. Dela Cruz, a Justice, Community, and Leadership major with a double minor in Law & Society and English, delivered his keynote speech on the power of storytelling in light of adversity. 

During his time at Saint Mary’s, Dela Cruz was the executive commissioner for the Honors Program, the vice president of public relations for the Asian Pacific American Student Association (APASA), set creator for Asian Cultural Night (ACN), senior ambassador and recruitment coordinator for the Office of Admissions, and a KSMC 89.5 DJ. He especially thanked the community of students in APASA and ACN for helping him explore his identity. “Before coming to Saint Mary’s, I wasn't given the opportunity to truly explore what it means to be an Asian American, specifically a Filipino American.”

Graduating senior Dominique Brown presented the Dean Grace Cardenas-Talentino Award to Ethnic Studies Program Director and Professor Loan Dao, and SydneyJane Shia ’22 presented the Student Leadership Award to Health Science major Jared Pingue, who served as set director for Asian Cultural Night and president of APASA. 

Once graduates received their API sashes and alumni pins from alumni pin presenter Christelle Jara ’21, the class of 2022 joined together in a candle lighting ceremony.