Two Generations Honored at CAN Graduation
On Thursday, May 15, the Bachman Lake community gathered at the Bachman Recreation Center to celebrate two generations of graduates from Bachman Lake Together’s Community Action Network (CAN) program. The joyful ceremony recognized both parent leaders and their preschool-age children for their dedication, growth and shared success.
Celebrating Growth and Parent Leadership
This year, 19 parents graduated from the nine-month CAN parent leadership program, which equips families with the tools to advocate for their children’s education and build a strong foundation for their future. Seventeen additional parents were recognized for completing advanced levels of the program, including mentorship, training in early learning advocacy and volunteer leadership roles. within the community.
While parents participated in leadership classes, their young children attended high-quality early learning programs provided by AVANCE North Texas. Together, both generations learned, grew and celebrated this important milestone as a family.
Lifting Voices, Building Confidence
Maria Reza, Parent Leadership Manager at Bachman Lake Together, opened the ceremony and introduced Executive Director Olga Martinez Hickman, Ph.D., who welcomed an audience of families, partners and supporters, saying, “Today we celebrate a milestone not just for our parent leaders and their children, but for our entire community. Our CAN graduates have stepped into their roles as advocates, leaders and champions for early learning—and their commitment inspires us all to create a supportive environment where our children can grow and thrive.”
Ana Lorena Carrasco, Executive Director of AVANCE North Texas, shared how AVANCE’s partnership with Bachman Lake Together and its role in delivering high-quality early education supports families holistically—ensuring parents and children learn side by side.
Stories of Strength and Impact in Bachman Lake
Israel Rivera, Executive Director of Parent Advocacy and Support Services at Dallas ISD, delivered a keynote address highlighting the vital role parent leadership plays in student success and strong school partnerships.
Parent leader Denisse Gutierrez, a CAN graduate and former board member of Bachman Lake Together, shared her experiences as a parent in the program and her belief in the power of parents to lead change in Bachman Lake. In her inspirational speech, she said, “By empowering parents to take on leadership roles, we are investing in the future and creating a better world for our children. Let's recognize, support and celebrate the invaluable contributions of parent leaders and work together to cultivate even more opportunities for their voices to be heard and their impact felt.”
To conclude the celebration, families joined their children in performing a joyful song and dance, “El baile del sapito (The Little Frog Dance),” symbolizing the energy, unity, and promise of the next generation.
A Shared Commitment
Bachman Lake Together extends deep gratitude to its community of partners, volunteers and supporters who make this work possible. Together, we are building a neighborhood where families are empowered and children are prepared to thrive—starting with a strong foundation in the earliest years.
As we reflect on this year’s graduation, we are reminded that when Bachman Lake parents lead, children soar—and that the path to a stronger future begins with all of us.