Members of the BCC Class of 2019 who excelled in a broad range of academic accomplishment had their achievements recognized at the first Graduation Awards Ceremony Luncheon. Previously known as the Honors Convocation, this year the event had a new location in Colston Hall Lower Level and a new time at noon, but showcased the same awards and distinctions that span BCC’s broad spectrum of liberal arts and sciences.

“This time of the year, we celebrate the success of all of our students,” said BCC President Thomas A. Isekenegbe told the assembled honorees, their families and more than a few of their proud professors. “I am very confident that Bronx Community College has prepared you for the next step of your journey.”

The award winners heard a special address from Joanmaris Cuello, BCC’s 2019 Salutatorian. “My experience at Bronx Community College started before I started — it began in 1996 when my mother was pregnant with me and was a student at BCC,” Ms. Cuello wryly observed. “She carried me in her womb and took me to classes, which explains why I was not at all nervous when I came to the College,” she added, prompting some of the most enthusiastic applause of the afternoon.

But on a more serious note, the Salutatorian told her classmates that during her time at BCC, ”I experienced a lot of ups and downs — but it was those down moments that made me who I am today. My commitment was stronger than any obstacle I faced.”

In all, 121 awards were handed out to stellar BCC students. The first was the James A. Colston Memorial Award, named for BCC’s second president and given to a student whose chosen career is related to higher education, which this year went to Venesa West. The last was the Excellence in Economics award, bestowed upon Tatyana Kuptsevich, who was also this year’s Valedictorian.

Along the way, there was plenty of warm food and congratulations, opening and closing remarks from Dr. Luis Montenegro, Interim Vice President and Provost for Academic Affairs, and much dreaming about what lies ahead for the high achievers celebrated that day.