When Enos Zornoza, ’26 walked across the Gallaudet Commencement stage to receive his degree in American Sign Language, he wasn’t the first Zornoza to get a diploma that day. Just seconds earlier, his father Elvis Zornoza, ’26 had done the same. As they walked off the stage together, the two Zornozas became the fifth and sixth members of their family to graduate from Gallaudet.
California raised
Enos Zornoza was born in Anaheim, California and grew up in a proud deaf family. “My parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles are all deaf,” Zornoza says. Five other members of his family have graduated from Gallaudet, including his father Elvis; his mother, Amelia Ortiz, E-’97; his brother, Esau Zornoza, ’21; and his sister, Malia Zornoza, ’23.
Zornoza’s first language is American Sign Language (ASL). Growing up, he also saw his father Elvis using Mexican Sign Language (LSM) to communicate with his grandparents. Mexican culture was strong in his home. Zornoza fondly remembers making tamales and eating with his family on Christmas Eve.
Zornoza’s family moved north when he was young, where he attended California School for the Deaf, Fremont (CSDF). Later, the family moved back to the Riverside, California area and he finished high school at California School for the Deaf, Riverside (CSDR).
In school, Zornoza loved sports. He played on basketball and football teams with his friends. As he prepared to enter Gallaudet, he figured he would major in Physical Education & Recreation and become a PE teacher. Once he arrived on campus, however, he found a different path.
Staying busy at Gallaudet
“I always wanted to go to Gallaudet,” Zornoza says. “There’s no other school like it.” He remembers visiting campus as a child and attending the graduation of his cousin, Travis Zornoza, ’13.
Zornoza’s father Elvis was excited when his son chose Gallaudet. “As a father, I always encouraged my children to attend Gallaudet University, even for just one year to discover their identity. Gallaudet offers a unique Deaf environment filled with culture, history and pride that no other place can match.“
When Zornoza started school and met his new classmates, many of them recognized his last name. “New Student Orientation was fun,” he says. “I still remember how it felt to come in and meet so many new friends.”
During his freshman year, Zornoza decided to choose American Sign Language as his major. “ASL teachers are needed everywhere,” he explains. “And we don’t want hearing people taking those jobs.” He was inspired by his instructors on campus, including Wanda Riddle, ’07, G-’13, & PhD ’24, who he admired for her dedication to her students.
Zornoza enjoyed learning about the foundations of ASL and engaging in deep discussions with his classmates. He also appreciated the coursework that taught him about the history of ASL poetry and art.
“I committed 100%,” he says. “Why come to Gallaudet if you’re not going to take advantage? Stay busy. Socialize with your peers, go to class, and get involved with clubs.” During his senior year, Zornoza acted as president of the Class of 2026 and the ASL Honor Society.
Zornoza also served as a treasurer for the Latine Student Union (LSU) and co-chairperson for the club’s 40th anniversary gala in 2025. “I encourage any Mexican or Latine student to join LSU. It’s a mix of different Latine identities and histories. I learned a lot.”
Even though Zornoza didn’t major in Physical Education & Recreation, he still stayed involved with sports. He worked as an Equipment Manager for the Gallaudet Athletics department for three years. At the end of his senior year, he was named as a Bison Student Worker of the Year.
Family affair
During his junior and senior years, Zornoza’s father Elvis joined him on campus. Elvis had attended Gallaudet twenty-five years prior, but left school to focus on raising Enos’ oldest sibling. In the years since, Elvis considered finishing his degree, but hadn’t found the time. He visited Gallaudet during Homecoming in October 2025 to see Enos and celebrate the 25th reunion of his original class.
“When I asked Enos what he thought about me returning as a student, he immediately said, ‘Let’s go!’” Elvis remembers. “That support meant everything to me and helped me pursue my long-time dream.”
“When I was in high school, my father always talked about how he wanted to go back to Gallaudet and finish his degree,” Enos says. “I encouraged him to do it. It’s nice to have family here.”
Elvis majored in Deaf Studies, with minors in ASL and Linguistics. Although Elvis had attended Gallaudet twenty-five years beforehand, the campus had changed so much that Enos found himself leading Elvis around.
“I gave him advice on new technology and shortcuts around campus,” Enos says. “We talked every day.”
Both father and son stayed busy, but found time to relaunch the Kendall Velo Club, a campus bicycle group. Elvis acted as President, while Enos was Event Planner. It was a fitting partnership.
“We both love biking,” Enos says. “In 2020, we biked the Pacific Coast Highway together, from Santa Cruz to Los Angeles.”
Elvis is proud of Enos’ work with the Velo Club and other campus organizations. “Enos has grown tremendously in leadership, confidence and community involvement,” Elvis says. “He has developed into a strong leader with high commitment and high standards.”
Graduating together
During the 2026 Commencement ceremony, graduates received their degrees in alphabetical order, by last name. Elvis and Enos were the very last in line.
“It was so cool to graduate together,” says Enos.
“It feels incredibly special and historic,” Elvis says. “We talked about how meaningful it would be for a father and son to complete our degrees together, and now it’s happening. Sharing this college journey together is something I will always cherish.”
Amelia Ortiz was in the crowd as her son graduated. “Watching Enos walk across the stage and receive his bachelor’s degree made me the proudest mom — I knew all along he was going to excel at many things in life, and this was one more for the list. On top of experiencing life on the Gallaudet campus, where he had the privilege to grow and learn from great educators, I trust that Enos is now ready for bigger things.”
After walking across the stage individually, Elvis returned to Enos, both of them with degrees in hand. Elvis also held his baby granddaughter, Ozzy Soléne. The three Zornozas posed together with Gallaudet President Roberta Cordano. It marked the end of a unique road, and the start of a promising new one. Once again, father and son will take the journey together.
Both Enos and Elvis will return to campus next year to join the M.A. in Sign Language Education (MASLED) program. They hope to both become ASL teachers and pass on their language to new generations of students. As they work toward their goal, they will do so as peers.
“I am proud of the person Enos has become,” Elvis says. “He fully embraced the Gallaudet community through leadership, service and involvement. His mother and I are very proud of everything he has accomplished and the positive impact he has made on campus.”
“I’ve grown a lot in my character and leadership,” says Enos. “If you commit and invest in yourself, Gallaudet will help you find where you belong.”
Gallaudet is the world’s leading educator of sign language instructors. Check out our American Sign Language program and Master’s in Sign Language Education graduate track.
