When I first started at Del Mar College in the early 2000s, the world was a different place. The war in Iraq was making headlines, and the lingering effects of 9/11 were still felt everywhere with videos of before and the aftermath. Cell phones were just becoming more common, and MySpace was starting to take off. But in my own world, the biggest change was becoming a single mother at just 18 years old.
My chances of continuing my education seemed almost impossible. I had originally enrolled in Journalism. But there was talk on how journalism was a dying breed. This upset me because not only did my dream of graduating with a Journalism degree belonged to a ‘dying breed’ but I was left alone to care for another human being. But I wasn’t ready to give up. I enrolled at Austin Community College’s childcare program, which allowed me to study while caring for my child. It wasn’t just a way to make ends meet; it became my path forward. This program not only supported me financially, but it also helped me keep my dream of education alive.
As time went on, my life took me further away from Corpus Christi. I didn’t know if I’d ever return, but in 2020, I found myself back in the city I once called home. I was older, wiser, and determined. Del Mar College, however, hadn’t changed. The same opportunities that had helped me years earlier were still there waiting for me.
In 2020, I returned to Del Mar College and earned two associate degrees. Now, with the school offering bachelor’s degrees, I’m pursuing one of those, too. I didn’t expect to be back at school—especially not in this way—but the support I received helped me keep going.
But it wasn’t just the classes that kept me involved in school—it was the people and experiences along the way. In the spring of 2023, I took another step forward by joining the Foghorn, Del Mar College’s student newspaper. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I quickly discovered that being a part of the Foghorn gave me more than just an outlet for my writing. It became a chance to connect with other students who shared my passions, build new skills, and venture into a field I hadn’t thought about before. Through the Foghorn, I was able to sharpen my writing, learn about journalism, and feel like I was part of something bigger.
The experience with the Foghorn pushed me to explore other fields Del Mar College had to offer like the Digital Media courses and film appreciation. It helped me realize that education wasn’t just about the degree—it was about the experiences as well as the connections with like-minded professors and students.
Special thanks to the generous donors, most Del Mar college staff, who took a chance, expecting nothing in return, with giving their support to a total stranger like me. I never took advantage of your generosity. With a close to 4.0 GPA and my graduating is my way of showing you all thank you. Without your support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Also, thanks to Del Mar College programs and the people who believed in me, I am on my way to earning a bachelor’s. If it weren’t for the willingness of others to support students like me, I wouldn’t have had the chance to succeed.
