“Dreams with No Borders,” a butterfly mural on display in the university library, encourages students to see the barriers they face in life and envision means to overcome them and pursue their dreams.
The mural, presented at noon on April 3 in the library, offers special inspiration for undocumented students to persevere and realize their dreams.
President Soraya M. Coley, Dreamers and faculty attended the presentation of the mural.
The two artists are Cal Poly Pomona alumnus Thomas Dwyer-Gutierrez and fifth-year applied mathematics student Miriam Juan Estrella.
The event began with an opening speech from Undocumented Student Services Coordinator Mike Manalo-Pedro, who thanked everyone for their support.
Both artists gave remarks on the mural, speaking on how this will hopefully inspire Dreamers to never give up.
“The mural will inspire them not to be afraid, to embrace who they are,” Estrella said. “Not be afraid to show up to [the] university and say I need help.”
Estrella said the mural is dedicated to all Dreamers who struggle financially to go to four-year universities, and to the parents of Dreamers who crossed the border to search for a better life in the United States.
The mural took about two days to complete and was first presented during the BDRC open house last fall.
The BDRC felt it was best to share the mural with the whole campus because it benefits everyone.
Coley spoke on how the symbol of the butterfly gives a sense of hope, freedom and opportunity.
She is thrilled with everyone who contributed to the mural and being able to be enjoyed by not only current students but by future generations of students.
“It symbolizes for all of our students the sense of no boundaries,” Coley said. “Cal Poly Pomona is an inclusive university, all are welcome, and we want to continue to help people achieve their hopes and their dreams.”
Coley keeps an 8 ½ x 11 frame of the mural in her office.
She mentioned that when she feels down, she can always look at the picture and be reminded that removing barriers is what CPP is about.
Ana Sofia Kury, a fourth-year early childhood studies student and Dreamer attended the event to show her support for Estrella and her community.
Kury is happy she is being represented on campus and she feels safer and accepted.
Despite everything going on with immigration and DACA, the mural creates a positive impact for her.
“I feel like I belong somewhere, I feel like there’s people who relate to my story and connect about it,” Kury said. “It just feels like I’m being valued as an individual and as a community.”
Estrella said when she studies for her exams, she can now look at the mural and realize the impact it has brought to not only her community of Dreamers but to everyone who comes to see it.
Any student who wishes to seek counseling, academic resources or legal advice can come to the BDRC, Building 26, room 101.
For any upcoming events hosted by the BDRC, students can follow them on Facebook and Instagram @undocubroncos.
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