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One family, three graduates

Joselin Carvajal had three reasons to celebrate in June.

The Local 1549 member, an Eligibility Specialist at Elmhurst Hospital, graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Plaza College in Queens.

Her daughter Ashley graduated with high honors from Long Island City High School, and her son Matthew graduated from IS 145 in Queens.

Carvajal got her associate’s degree before starting at Elmhurst’s Medicaid office, where she has worked for the past five years while nursing her dream of a bachelor’s degree. Holding the job meant that she had to earn her diploma in night school.

“There were a lot of endless nights,” said the single mom. “But I did it!”

Now, with her daughter at Borough of Manhattan Community College and her son a freshman at Newtown High School, Carvajal is looking forward to the next challenge. She hopes to advance her education by enrolling in a master’s degree program and to move up the civil service career ladder on her job.

“The graduations were a wonderful experience for all of us!” she said. “I was so proud.”