LUCA CONNECT: June 2026

Breaking Barriers, Building Futures

Every June, the LUCA community comes together for one of the most meaningful celebrations of the year. We gather to honor first-generation students who are taking the next bold step in their journeys, from high school to college and from college into careers, or graduate school.

This year's Graduation Celebration was the largest in LUCA's history, bringing together more than 250 attendees including Scholars, families, College Coaches, volunteers, Board Members, elected officials, donors, school partners, and friends. Together, we celebrated years of hard work, determination, and the collective support that helped these students reach this extraordinary milestone.

For our Scholars, these diplomas represent far more than academic achievement. They are proof of what can happen when talent, perseverance, and a community of people who believe in them come together. It was a day filled with pride, hope, and the promise of all that lies ahead.

Click HERE or on the video below to experience the magic of Graduation Celebration.

For our Scholars, graduation represents years of hard work, difficult choices, and an unwavering commitment to their goals. Behind every cap and gown are countless hours spent studying, balancing jobs and family responsibilities, completing college applications and financial aid forms, meeting with College Coaches, and finding the determination to keep moving forward, even when the path wasn't easy.

For our high school graduates, this milestone marks the beginning of an exciting college

journey. For our college graduates, it is the culmination of years of persistence and the start of careers, graduate studies, service, and leadership. Together, they remind us what is possible when talented students are supported by families, mentors, volunteers, and a community that believes in their potential.

THANK YOU!

No one reaches a milestone like this alone. Graduation Celebration is a joyful reminder that every Scholar who crosses the stage carries with them the encouragement of family, the guidance of College Coaches, the generosity of donors, the dedication of volunteers, and the unwavering belief of an entire community.

To everyone who helped make this celebration possible...thank you. Your encouragement, generosity, and belief in our Scholars helped open doors that led to this unforgettable day. We are so grateful you were there to celebrate alongside them.

...And to our remarkable LUCA Scholars:

Whether you're beginning your college journey or celebrating your college degree, congratulations! We can't wait to see where your determination, talent, and dreams take you next. We will always be cheering you on!

LUCA Scholars College Graduates

LUCA Scholars High School Graduates

To see the full album of photos from Graduation Celebration, click HERE.

WELCOME, SUMMER INTERNS!

Every summer, LUCA has the opportunity to invest in another generation of future leaders. This year, we're excited to welcome an outstanding group of college interns who will spend the summer learning, contributing, and growing alongside our team.

Whether they're supporting programs, communications, development, or special events, these interns will gain meaningful, hands-on experience while helping advance LUCA's mission. We look forward to the energy, ideas, and enthusiasm they'll bring, and we are excited to see all they will accomplish.

Please join us in giving them a warm LUCA welcome!

Click HERE or on the video below to watch a beautiful reel created by LUCA intern Gabriela Maldonado, showcasing the exciting college plans and bright futures of our graduates.

Celebrating June Holidays

Father's Day

We celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, mentors, and father figures whose love, guidance, and sacrifices help shape the futures of our students. We recognize that family support is a powerful force in a young person’s educational journey, and we are deeply grateful for the parents and caregivers who encourage, advocate for, and inspire our Scholars every step of the way.

Juneteenth

Latino U College Access proudly honors Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates the resilience, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans.

As we celebrate freedom, reflect on our shared history, we as an organization, reaffirm our commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders.

SAVE THE DATE

PATHWAYS TO BRILLIANCE BENEFIT GALA