Greetings Class of 2020,

I am Kassandra Montes, a single mother, a survivor, and today, a graduate of Lehman College.

As nerve racking and exciting this day is, it is inevitable to deny the strength, will power, and courage our class brings to society.

Its been a long time coming of hard work, perseverance, tears, sleepless nights, and struggle. Through it all, we somehow found a way to achieve the impossible. We found that last bit of strength to continue. And in doing so we have proven to ourselves that no matter the struggle, there is only one way we are going to go and that is up. Look at us graduating through a pandemic. Did it stop us? No. Was it difficult? Yes.

And if you have learned one thing from your life at Lehman, it is this: you are never alone.

All of the love, all of the guidance, all of the opportunities, and all of the dreams that began at Lehman will lead you to look back on these years, and on this day, and say: “Those were the good old days.”

As we begin our journey beyond Lehman’s gates, remember always that this is where it all began--in these halls, down these paths, in these classrooms, and in these offices. Continue to dream beyond measure and the future will accommodate your demands.

An old wise man told me, at the age of 19: “No es de llegar primero, pero saber llegar.” “It’s not about getting there first, but knowing how to get there.”