Celebration of Achievement Honors More Than 700 BHCC Workforce Students
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) honored more than 700 students at its annual Workforce and Economic Development Celebration of Achievement on June 7. The event recognized the hard work and perseverance of students across various workforce training and adult education programs, showcasing inspiring stories of resilience, transformation, and community.
Opening the ceremony, Dean of Workforce and Economic Development Kristen McKenna applauded the students’ accomplishments and resilience. “Many of our students work more than one job… and yet they still achieve recognition today,” she said, acknowledging the complex realities many students face while pursuing their education.
BHCC President Dr. Pam Eddinger delivered a heartfelt address grounded in her own experiences as an immigrant. “I came from Hong Kong at age 11. My dad worked as a waiter, my mom did garment work,” she shared. “You are holding the dreams of my parents in your hands today,” she told the graduates, underlining the generational significance of their educational achievements.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, Dr. Eddinger read powerful remarks that connected personal growth with broader legacies. “Legacy begins with the first brave step… every time you show up, you build it,” Louijeune wrote. She also honored the contributions of faculty and families: “You are often underpaid and underrecognized, and yet you pour into students every day.”
Quoting author Toni Morrison, Louijeune reminded students that success doesn’t always come in perfect form: “Sometimes you don’t survive whole. You just survive in parts.”
A series of moving student speeches captured the diverse journeys and unyielding determination of the graduating class.
- Cesar Armando Garces, from Chiclayo, Peru, shared how he overcame language barriers: “Don’t avoid challenges because of the language… English won’t hold you back.”
- Maria Idalia Villamil Calix, representing the High School Equivalency Program, spoke to the power of second chances: “Many of us had to leave our studies… we understood that without education, we cannot go very far.”
- Betsaida Gassi, a graduate of the Medical Interpreter Program, highlighted the importance of hope and preparation: “Hope is the foundation for a dream to be born… preparation is key.”
- Kelly Johanna Zuluaga Orjuela, a Transitions to College student, called on peers to raise their voices and challenge stereotypes: “Let’s continue our journey… and break stereotypes by spreading peace, love, and light.”
The celebration was not just a recognition of academic success—it was a tribute to perseverance, the strength of community, and the power of education to reshape lives and families for generations to come.