Maria Cubias-Realegeno has come a long way- literally and figuratively. The Northern Essex Community College Criminal Justice major, known to her friends as Ampa, grew up in a tight-knit community in El Salvador. But when she was just 15, political violence started to spike, and her family made the difficult decision to relocate to New Jersey.

Cubias-Realegeno became focused on learning English and soon excelled in school and athletics. A guidance counselor noticed her determination and helped her secure a competitive scholarship to attend the prestigious Admiral William Halsey Academy in Elizabeth, NJ. For the next four years, Cubias-Realegeno worked tirelessly and earned a scholarship to a four-year university to play soccer.

However, around the time she graduated from high school, she learned her mother was facing a serious illness. She put her college dreams on hold to support the family.

“I worked two, three jobs to help pay for her treatment.” Tragically, her mother passed away when Cubias-Realegeno was just 20 years old.

Unsure of what to do next, Cubias-Realegeno moved in with one of her sisters in New Hampshire. She first enrolled at a community college there, but got discouraged by the college’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program.

“I remember my mom saying, ‘You have to go to school and have to get a career. You have to be someone.’”

So Cubias-Realegeno gave college another try, enrolling in Northern Essex in 2018. She noticed a huge difference in the ESL offerings compared to her previous college, especially since she could start earning credits right away. She also found a second family in NECC’s Pathways to Academic & Career Excellence Program (PACE), which provides wrap-around support for first-generation college students.

“Being part of a supportive community, like PACE and my professors, made a big difference. They believed in me and pushed me to see my own potential, which helped me become stronger and more confident,” she said.

Cubias-Realegeno excelled in her classes and was recognized with many awards, including the Massachusetts Educational Opportunity Association (MEOA) Scholarship Award. In 2024, she was also selected for the Council for Opportunity: Keith Sherin Global Leaders Program. Just 20 undergraduate students from the United States were selected for the program to study at The Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands for three weeks.

All of her hard work has culminated in her selection as the 2026 Student Commencement Speaker. Cubias-Realegeno, who now lives in Haverhill, will share her story with her fellow graduates during the May 16th ceremony.

“Being selected as the student speaker is truly an honor. I feel grateful and proud, not only for myself but for my family and everyone who supported me along the way. As a first-generation Latina student, this moment represents more than just an achievement—it represents sacrifice, resilience, and the ability to overcome challenges. It means a lot to be trusted to represent my classmates and share a message that reflects our journey.”

Following graduation, Cubias-Realegeno plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, with the goal of becoming a crime scene investigator.

“I want to make a positive impact in my community. I want to continue growing, learning, and using my experiences to help others and inspire those who may be facing challenges similar to mine.”

More than 3,000 people are expected to attend the college’s 64th Commencement Exercises. The event will be held on the quad on the NECC Haverhill Campus and is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. Learn more about commencement at NECC by visiting the webpage.