Diego Santiago Adrianzen Ruiz: We are the proof anything is possible

Good afternoon, family, friends, faculty, staff, board of trustees, and a very special welcome to the Class of 2025. We made it!!! 

My name is Diego Santiago Adrianzen Ruiz, and I’m an international student from Lima, Peru. I am truly honored to be speaking to all of you today.

When I started this journey, I didn’t know how I would make it. I didn't have all the answers. But what I had was hope, determination, and the belief that every challenge was shaping me into the person standing in front of you today.

My first day at ECC was unforgettable. My welcome tour was canceled due to a snowstorm, but thankfully, my twin brother, Marco, gave me an improvised one the next day. As we walked around campus, he told me, “Diego, just smile and say hi.” And that’s exactly what I did. During our walk, I realized how welcoming this place is and how amazing the ECC community feels.*

Shortly after, I started working in the cafeteria. With my very limited English, I was assigned to the cashier position. Some of you probably saw me sweating, trying to understand coins, bills, and English words all at the same time. It felt like a whole new world to me.

Yet, something inside of me kept saying, “Diego, you can do this.” I kept thinking about my mom and everything we went through.

I grew up in a small home filled with love, resilience, and big dreams; dreams my mom carried for us even when life wasn’t easy. She raised my two brothers and me on her own, and working night shifts. During the day, my brother and I would go out with her, selling merchandise from store to store. We walked miles under the sun, carrying heavy boxes and dreaming of something bigger. Those early experiences taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and the importance of family lessons that have stayed with me my whole life.

Before everything changed, life was good. My twin brother and I had discovered a sport called beach tennis. We trained hard, competed in tournaments, and even had the chance to represent our country together. Those were some of the happiest moments of my life, standing side by side with my brother, doing what we loved, and making our mom proud.

But as we all know, life can change in a second. During the pandemic, my mom was diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly, everything stopped:  the training, the tournaments, all of it. My brother and I put our dreams on hold to take care of her and to work. Those were the hardest years of my life, but I also learned what real love and strength looks like.

When my mom started to recover, we began to dream again. My first plan was to go to Germany, where I had an opportunity to study and work, but I knew my mom still needed emotional support, and my brother who was already here, needed it too. So I chose to come here, where I could continue studying while being close to both of them.

That moment changed everything for me. Coming to Elgin Community College was more than just starting a degree;  it was a way to honor my mom’s sacrifices, my brother’s strength, and the promise I made to myself to never give up!, no matter how hard things can get.

Being part of ECC has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Balancing full-time classes while working in the Registration and Records office was challenging, especially being far from my family and adjusting to a new culture, but I never felt alone.

I am deeply grateful for my success coach, Nathalia Granados; my academic advisor, Ashley Letteney; my wellness professional, Cinthia Carlson; my international coordinator, Amy Stringwell;  the international department and all its staff; my coworkers, teachers, tutors, friends, and everyone who supported me, guided me, and made me feel at home. 

Thanks to their support, I’m now transferring to Aurora University to study Recreational Therapy, with the end goal of eventually pursuing a master’s or even a doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Every day, I feel closer to achieving my dream. 

Before I close, I want to take a moment to honor the person who made this all possible, my mom. And I’d like to do that with a few words of gratitude in Spanish.

Mamá, sin ti jamás hubiera logrado nada de lo que hoy celebro. Eres padre y madre para mí y mis hermanos. Gracias por enseñarme a nunca rendirme y, a pesar de las dificultades, sigues siendo la luchadora que eres. ¡Te amo, mamá! **

Before I close, I want you to remember this: getting here was not easy, but you made it. You learned, you grew, and you pushed through challenges that nobody else may know about. And that is something to be proud of.

And now looking at all of you, I see that same spirit — the proof that anything is possible. Every late night, every obstacle, every doubt brought us here.

CONGRATS CLASS OF 2025!

 We made it, and this is just the beginning of something greater.

 ¡Thank you!