Southeast College celebrates 2025 graduates
Grad marks the latest milestone on a long journey for one grad: Lesi Cardoza Hernandez
June 9, 2025, 8:36 am
Ashley Bochek
The Southeast College celebrated Whitewood graduates last Wednesday, June 4 at the Whitewood Legion Hall.
Among 30 graduates from Whitewood Southeast College, one graduate celebrated the day as the latest milestone after a long journey of fighting to stay in Canada.
Lesi Cardoza Hernandez came to Canada from Honduras 14 years ago after fleeing that country with her son Victor Junior and husband Victor, who had witnessed the murder of a journalist.
Their youngest son, Edward, was born in Canada after coming to this country in 2011.
The family received their Canadian Citizenship in 2023, and are thankful for their livelihood in Moosomin.
Cardoza Hernandez says she is beyond excited for what comes next.
“I am so excited and so happy. I am a CCA (Continuing Care Assistant) now and it is exciting and overwhelming to take it all in. I am done! It was a big step for me.”
“I studied lots of days and weekends,” Cardoza-Hernandez says. “it was busy—I had no weekends to myself since I started my CCA last year in September. It was really nice having other classmates to help and work with to get here together.”
Living her passion
Cardoza Hernandez says her passion is helping others.
“This means a lot because I know I have accomplished another level of education and I am ready to help people. I am so happy because it is my passion to help others so I am so excited to get to work now.”
She will be working at the Long Term Care wing of the SEICC next week as a CCA.
“I am going to start as soon as possible next week. I have a position at the Long Term Care facility in Moosomin. I am very excited and I am going to be so busy working now, which is good for me.”
Cardoza Hernandez explains her previous education accomplishments.
“I have another degree in business administration—I was there for almost five years, but when I came to Canada it felt that I had to start all over.
“I got my grade 12 here, and now my CCA. If I would like to continue my education in Canada I will have to go to university or college to upgrade my business administration for at least two years, but I am very happy at the moment to have my CCA.”
Supportive community
Cardoza Hernandez thanks the community of Moosomin for the support for her family.
“I am also excited to have my job in Moosomin where I don’t have to travel anywhere. My family is in Moosomin and have helped me, and supported me throughout this time in college.
“My kids, Victor Jr, Edward, and my husband, we all worked together and they were a huge help. I did my schooling full-time and all of my friends—I am so happy for all of us.
“I thank Moosomin for the support many years ago to stay in Canada and the continued support. I also thank Kevin Weedmark for being here today and for the help years ago to stay here. I am just so happy and the teachers and instructors were great and so supportive as well.”
Accomplishing dreams
Cardoza Hernandez says graduation felt like accomplishing a dream.
“It is a big dream. I was dreaming since I came to Canada 14 years ago. It was a very hard situation with our process before, but step-by-step with all the support of the community and our friends, I made it. I knew I had to do this to accomplish my dream. It is just so exciting and I could not be more happy and excited to get to work.”
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