UMD Dream Gala Celebrates Undocumented Students
Fontana music group performs on stage at the Dream Gala (Jess Daninhirsch/The Black Explosion)
The Undocumented Student Program hosted its sixth annual Dream Gala, bringing together undocumented immigrants of all backgrounds for a celebratory night.
The gala raised funds for students who experience financial difficulties related to immigration. The Political Latinx United for Movement and Action in Society and Migrating Shells helped to coordinate the event.
Jess Carranza, a student at the University of Maryland, opened with a poem that beautified togetherness and fighting alongside each other, to bring others closer to their goals. Her poem radiated the event’s theme, “Together We Persevere.”
Undocumented students continue to face adversity, but it is important to persevere and join in the fight, PLUMAS President Amy Rivera said.
“It is unjust that immigrants and undocumented students continue to live with such uncertainty,” the senior criminology and criminal justice and government and politics major said. “Continue to join us in the fight that accumulates little victories every day until one day we are fully liberated.”
Fontana, a music group of six, performed and lit up Stamp’s Atrium with uptempo sounds from electric guitars, a piano and drum that had the audience dancing on their feet. After the performance, guest speaker and State Del. Ashanti Martinez delivered a speech.
Martinez spoke about his career history of defending immigrant communities and the importance of dreaming during his first-ever keynote. He said that dreams should be supplemented with determination and belief because dreams alone are not enough.
“Dreams matter. They fuel our aspirations, inspire innovation and connect us as human beings. Dreams empower us to transcend and challenge norms and shape a better future. So let us hold tight to our dreams, for they are a compass that guides us towards our key purpose and a world with boundless possibilities,” he said.
The evening included more festivities as other musical groups performed throughout the event, including Ethnobeat, an acapella music group and Baile Folklorico, consisting of two pairs of cultural dancers.
Maria Reyes, a senior family science major, expressed joy and connectedness to her culture and roots. She said that it felt connecting to see people from the same culture as herself.
“My parents are undocumented immigrants so I think it was just a dream to be here. I’m first generation to graduate college and I’m just so honored to be here,” Reyes said.
The event organizers experienced a successful event, where “a lot of people donated,” Rivera said. Rivera hopes attendees carry the joy they witnessed and spread it into their various communities.