A young Cuban immigrant became the star of an emotional viral moment by carrying the Cuban flag inside his gown during the graduation ceremony at Glendale Community College (GCC), held in Glendale, California.
The video published on Instagram has accumulated over 182,000 views.
The protagonist is Ernesto Lozada Gutiérrez, a Mechanical Engineering student born and raised in Cuba, who recorded the clip featuring a portion of the song "La Gozadera" by the duo Gente de Zona, which says: "I sing from Cuba, and the world finds out, if you are Latino, raise your flag."
Ernesto's story goes far beyond a symbolic gesture. Before arriving in the United States, he developed a passion for engineering by participating in national robotics competitions on the Island.
Upon emigrating, he faced the challenge of mastering English by completing the ESL preparation program at GCC, a public higher education institution offering two-year degrees, which has excellent programs for transferring students to elite universities.
Rather than sticking to the basics, he became an ESL ambassador at the center, assisting other immigrant students in their adjustment process.
He is also a member of the Scholars Honors Society and participated in the "Go Baby Go" project, a ten-week internship where engineering students adapt toy cars for children with physical disabilities.
Ernesto's most notable academic achievement came on May 12, when he was announced as one of the 60 national winners of the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship 2026, selected from over 1,300 applicants.
The scholarship, valued at up to $55,000 per year, covers the remaining costs after institutional aid and will allow you to transfer to California State University, Northridge (CSUN) to complete your degree.
His long-term plans include a master's degree in robotics and automation, and eventually a PhD.
Upon receiving the recognition, Ernesto expressed his gratitude: "I am deeply thankful to Glendale Community College for opening its doors to me, to my teachers and counselors for all the support along this journey, and to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation for believing in students like me and creating these opportunities that truly change lives."
The GCC celebrated the achievement, noting that it is the second consecutive year in which two of its students have received this honor, and described Ernesto as "a newly arrived immigrant from Cuba" whose unique experiences have shaped his academic success.
He summarized his journey like this: "The GCC became much more than a school for me: it became a place where I found support, opportunities, and a community that believed in my potential."
The act of carrying the Cuban flag at graduation ceremonies has become a recurring trend among young Cubans in the diaspora in the United States, with similar cases documented in May 2026 and in previous years, as an expression of cultural identity in academic ceremonies.
To those who are just starting their journey, Ernesto left a clear message: "Don't underestimate yourselves or your potential. Many opportunities may seem impossible at first, but growth happens when you step out of your comfort zone and believe in your abilities."
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