05/26/2026
Congratulations Maria and to the NECC Class of 2026!
What a moment. What a speaker. What a class. 💙
This year's NECC Commencement student speaker, Maria (Ampa) Cubias Realegeno, reminded every single person in that room why we show up — even when it's hard.
Maria came to the United States from El Salvador as a teenager, diligently studied English, and earned a soccer scholarship to a four-year university. When her mother fell ill, she set her own dreams aside to be with her family. She tragically lost both of her parents, not long after, and somewhere in that grief, she found a purpose that brought her to Northern Essex.
"I was not going to let my story end in pain. I was going to turn pain into motivation."
She graduated with her associate degree in Criminal Justice and plans to pursue her bachelor's degree on her way to becoming a crime scene investigator. We couldn't be more proud 💫
To Maria and every member of the Class of 2026 — this community celebrates you. 🎓
