Representatives from the Jalisco Secretariat of Education (SEJ) were on hand to congratulate the parents and sponsors of the 43 Niños de Chapala y Ajijic (NCA) elementary through university and trade school graduates feted during a grand graduation celebration on Saturday, July 18.
The charismatic Maestra Cony Larios, who is the supervisor of school zone 10 and NCA advisor, revealed her range of talents during the planning and preparation of the celebration and again on the day of the party when she stepped on to the podium as mistress of ceremony with Susan Johnson, director of the NCA board.
Attending the event as special guests were Dr. Patricia de la Torre Greenfield, SEJ’s director of the post-graduate Center for Pedagogical and Social Research, and Dr. Moises Ledezma Ruiz, SEJ’s director of Technical Secondary Schools.
Both state education representatives addressed the audience, expressing their joy in seeing the satisfaction in the smiles of those who had graduated and the pride in the faces of their parents.
“Studying, wanting to learn is acquiring the intellectual tools needed to achieve goals in life,” De la Torre Greenfield told the graduating students.
She saluted NCA for working, as expressed in their logo, “for the love of education,” and thanked parents, family members and sponsors of the students for their support and sacrifices.
She added that she is confident that Jalisco Secretary of Education Francisco de Jesús Ayón will be quite interested once she shares with him the mission and work of NCA.
In his remarks, Dr. Ledezma Ruiz also praised NCA for its transcendent, noble and admirable mission. “This program allows students to learn and study. To complete these steps in their educational journey is the proof of the edict that we should live by deeds and not words alone.”
He then exhorted the students to strive to give their best for themselves, their families and society.
Later in the program the SEJ officials presented certificates of recognition to the recent elementary, middle school, high school and university and trade school graduates, as well as certificates of honor to the students’ parents. These certificates, along with special invitations and the Spanish portion of the afternoon’s program, were designed and created by Larios.
The afternoon’s entertainment featured the Ballet Folkloric Macehuini troupe from Primary School Ramon Corona and Basilo Vadillo. The award-winning performers displayed their skills with the popular Jalisco hat dance and a cowboy themed dance from the northwestern states of Mexico.
The event culminated with cake, several large candy-filled piñatas and an assortment of NCA logo-bearing gifts for the parents, benefactors and sponsors.
The continued success of NCA as it strives year after year to encourage financially challenged students to succeed in school owes much to the generosity of individual, community and corporate sponsors. Groups and businesses, including American Legion Post 7, eSun Energy, Lakeside Presbyterian Church, the Chili Cookoff and the Daughters of the American Revolution, all have been instrumental in supporting the work of NCA.
Joining the graduation celebration guests were Commander Tim Stern and Adjutant Vince Britton of the American Legion Post 7. They compared the party to a family picnic, but added that a high point was meeting the NCA graduates.
“The best part was seeing the moms receive their own well-deserved recognition, too,” said Stern. “This is just a great event by a great group. NCA’s objectives harmonize so well with our own at the Legion. We’re both reaching out to the community and leaving things better than we found them.”
The Mexican law that governs the non-profit status held by NCA permits the organization to retain only five percent of sponsor contributions to cover office and overhead expenses. The gap in funding is met partially by corporate and community partners and boosted by NCA fundraisers.
“A Celebration of Mexico” on Tuesday, August 25, 7 p.m. will be held at Viva Mexico Tia Lupita Restaurant in San Juan Cosala. Tickets are 250 pesos and include Agustin’s typical Mexican buffet, folkloric dancing, 50/50 raffle and more. For tickets call (376) 766-0848 or (376) 765-5454 or visit the NCA Bazar in Riberas del Pilar.
For information about sponsoring a student for the 2015-2016 school year call either of the phone numbers listed above or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. More information is available on the NCA website at www.lakesideninos.org.