# @unlincoln on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/ChHzBKEO9Ns
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/16862122-unlincoln-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/03a3ac9ad1.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-08-11T14:01:58.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** University of Nebraska-Lincoln (@UNLincoln) — https://gondola.cc/UNLincoln

## Caption

To be the first in her family to graduate is an accomplishment that Aracely holds close to her heart — and one that is now in sight as she prepares to graduate this weekend. 

Aracely joined the university as an introverted music education major with a love for playing the saxophone. Though she faced adversity as a first-gen student, she never strayed from her goal of expanding her music skills or from her passion for playing in the Cornhusker Marching Band, which took her to different states, taught her discipline through everyday rehearsals and connected her to some of her closest friends. 

“My favorite memories from college are playing with my best friends at Memorial Stadium. I’d only been to one game before joining and being on the field is shocking. Even though there are 300 of us, it feels like everyone is looking at you. It’s very cool to see.” 

Outside of playing in the "Pride of All Nebraska," Aracely grew her passion for music education in the classroom and neared her high school dream of teaching. After graduating this weekend, she's looking forward to showing the next generation the power of music. 
 
“It’s proven that we do better academically when we are involved in music and music programs. It’s also stimulating to be a part of something like music where everyone can be a part of a team and perform live.” 
 
And she hopes to use her experiences as a first-gen graduate from an immigrant family to inspire her students that regardless of where they may start, they too can attend college and accomplish things that seem unattainable. 
 
"I'm working at a Title I school and diversity is high, and I love that because I’m a person of color and I hope to impact young kids of color. I want them to know that they can be whatever they want to be, whether that’s a music teacher or anything else.” 
… 
Aracely Acosta is a music education major from Lincoln, Nebraska. To share your story or nominate a friend, email social@unl.edu. #ImAHusker #InOurGritOurGlory

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## Tags

inourgritourglory, imahusker

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