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Texas’ DEI ban almost ended cultural graduations. Latina students at UT-Austin fought to keep theirs.

Graduating students raised funds and took the lead organizing smaller ceremonies meant to highlight their identities and cultural heritage.

Latinx graduates take a selfie prior to University of Texas at Austin Latinx Graduation on Thursday, May 9, 2024 in Austin. Graduates took time prior to the ceremony to talk with friends, take photos with each other and fix their hair and regalia.

Liany Serrano Oviedo assigns roles to organizers prior to the University of Texas at Austin Latinx Graduation on Thursday, May 9, 2024 in Austin. Oviedo was helping to provide instructions on how to guide graduates into the ceremony and organize everyone during the ceremony.
Graduates line up to head to the University of Texas at Austin Latinx Graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 9, 2024 in Austin. Early this year, organizers were told that this graduation was not going to be funded by UT. The Latinx Community Affairs took on the organization for this ceremony.

Students take the lead

Family and friends of Latinx graduates cheer for their students during the University of Texas at Austin Latinx Graduation Latinx Graduation On Thursday, May 9, 2024 in Austin. The bilingual ceremony has been a tradition for Latinx students of UT for years prior.
A decorated cap of the Mexico flag done in rhinestones sits on top of a graduates head during the University of Texas at Austin Latinx Graduation Latinx Graduation On Thursday, May 9, 2024 in Austin.

A nod to family 


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