Graduation season may be coming to a close, but one recent graduate has chosen to memorialize her educational career forever with some seriously inspiring graduation photos honoring her immigrant heritage.
Erica Alfaro graduated from San Diego State University with a master’s degree in education earlier this month, CNN reported on Tuesday, May 28th. In lieu of taking more traditional pics on campus, Alfaro opted for a family photo shoot in the California fruit fields where her mother still labors — and where Alfaro spent summers working right alongside her. It was there that her mother hammered home the value of an education, Alfaro told CNN.
“One day, I was very tired and told my mom and she said to me, ‘This is how life is going to be from now on. The only people who don’t have to go through this get an education.’ Those words stuck with me,” Alfaro said.
Alfaro’s parents, Teresa Herrera and Claudio Alfaro, met in the U.S. after emigrating separately from Mexico. The family moved back to Tijuana after Alfaro was born so that Herrera could obtain a U.S. residency. Every day, Alfaro would cross the border to attend school.
When Alfaro was 13, they moved to Oceanside, California, with another family, cramming 11 people into a one-bedroom apartment.
A couple of years later, Alfaro became pregnant and temporarily dropped out of school.
She moved in with her baby’s father, but found her way back home after enduring years of domestic violence.
With her mother’s help, Alfaro enrolled in a homeschool program in Fresno at the age of 17.
Her son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in 2012, during her first semester at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM).
Although her grades took a hit, Alfaro persevered, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2017 and delivering her school’s commencement speech.
“It took me almost six years to get my bachelor’s degree,” Alfaro told CNN.
According to CSUSM, just 2% of teen moms go on to earn a college degree, making Alfaro’s achievements all the more impressive.
California State University San Marcos
“The reason I share my story is because I want to encourage undocumented single mothers, and people who suffer from domestic violence, to get an education and achieve their goals,” Alfaro said.
Now armed with a master’s degree, Alfaro said she plans to become a school counselor. She also wants to work with teen moms and victims of domestic violence.
“I feel like my life has changed and I’m a different person,” Alfaro told CSUSM’s NewsCenter in 2017. “I’m very happy with who I am. I don’t feel like a victim like I used to.”
Alfaro hopes her graduation photos serve as inspiration to members of the Latino community who are struggling.
“These photos represent many of us,” she told CNN. “Our parents came to this country to give us a better life and we wouldn’t be here without them.”
So the next time you feel like the road ahead is paved with obstacles, remember Alfaro’s story.
Your future isn’t written in stone — it’s up to YOU to create the life you want.
Congratulations, Erica. You did it!
