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Estrada's family moved from Guatemala to California when he was a child and he
came to Colby from Belmont High School in Los Angeles. "I've met a lot of
hurdles since I came to this country, and I've met a lot of hurdles here at
Colby," the Dean's List history major told more than 100 people standing in the
central meeting space of the new Pugh Center. In fact, the challenges of his
first year at college, 3,000 miles from his home and family, seemed so tall
that he almost didn't return as a sophomore, he said. Throughout his time at
Colby, though, SOBHU has been a steady source of support. "SOBHU has always
been here for me," he said.
Fulfilling his duty to provide a significant memento for the Pugh Center's
foundation stone, Estrada held aloft a tiny globe. "This globe was given to me
when I was five years old, when I came to this country," he said. As a symbol
of the unity of all people, in the Pugh Center's spirit of a "common ground"
for all students, and in appreciation of SOBHU and his fellow members, Estrada
placed the little globe he had owned for three quarters of his life in the
box and slipped back into the crowd while the audience applauded, a visiting
musician spontaneously pounded a conga drum and Associate Dean of Intercultural
Affairs Jeri Roseboro, almost overcome by the moment, fanned herself and leaned
on a neighbor for support. [CONTINUE]