Our Resilience Is Sacred: Red Rocks Celebrates the Class of 2026

“I sacrificed a lot to be here today,” said Victoria Maldonado, a student speaker for the Class of 2026 graduation for Red Rocks Community College. “Outside of school, I am a business partner, a wife, a daughter, a friend and someone who struggles deeply with her mental health. Despite all of my accomplishments and accolades, I was drowning and thriving at the same time, and there are things I wish I could have done more of. I wish I called my mom more.”

Speakers at the 56th Commencement shared the importance of resilience, celebrating how students who completed this journey have persevered, but emphasizing the importance of prioritizing one’s wellbeing to be able to continue.  

“All of you sitting here today have put in countless hours, pushing through tough days to earn this moment. And that kind of effort can feel like climbing a wall,” said Charlotte Briscoe, commencement speaker and Faculty of the Year. “You could have stepped back, chosen an easier path, but you didn’t and that takes courage.”

Victoria Maldonado, the Outstanding Student of the Year, was open about her struggles.

Victoria was recognized as the Outstanding Student of the Year because of her outstanding academic achievements, and her demonstrated positive impact on campus. She served this year as President of Student Government. She also helped start the Students for Human Rights club, hosting events, having difficult conversations with leadership, and engaging with students to find ways to support them.

But that required a lot of time and effort. Still, she said in her reflection, it was worth it.

“We are watching the world fall apart a little bit each day, and yet here we all are,” she said. “Graduating, persisting and pursuing lives that could be better than the ones we started this educational journey with. And that means something, our resilience is sacred. Our ability to choose hope despite it all is something we should all be so proud of.”

President Landon Pirius emphasized to students a lesson that he said he could have used earlier in life.  

“I thought being successful meant being constantly available, doing everything, and pushing through no matter what. I worked long hours. I answered every email and text immediately. I was always “on.” I did not prioritize self-care, nor did I maintain a healthy work-life balance. And I paid for it,” Dr. Pirius told graduates.  

“Resilience is not a destination, it’s a practice. It requires ongoing attention, adjustment, and commitment,” he added.

When he began to focus on it, he began making time to exercise, to go to the gym without a cellphone, and to meditate, he said.

“Your success is not just about what you accomplish, but how you sustain yourself along the way,” he said. “Take care of your mind and your body, protect your time and your energy, and build habits that support your well-being, not just your productivity. Your ability to continue achieving — to keep growing, leading, and making an impact — depends on it.”