JUDGMENT
“My learning disabilities and my stress disorders—those have probably been the hardest, especially growing up. Being told by my family that I was stupid. Being told by some teachers that I was stupid. That was the hardest. It still affects me. I lack confidence in myself because of all those years I was told I was stupid.”
FAITH
“Growing up in a poor family, the opportunity for a college education seemed unattainable. As I was now raising my own children and working to make ends meet, I was fortunate to work and worship with individuals who would become mentors and show me that others’ views of me isn’t what I should believe about myself. Due to my faith and mentors, I haven’t given up on my dream of obtaining a college degree.”
TRY
“I’ve never actually sat down and said, you know, I want to do something that’s going to better the world, but, you know, I’ve got to try it out.”
HURDLES
“I’ve suffered from epilepsy since I was nine… Missing classes is a huge hurdle.”
AGENCY
“I have cerebral palsy, and I grew up in the medical system, right, which is just a rough land to live in. The thing that I had to cope with while piecing myself together is that I can say no, now. When I was growing up, I had no ability to say no to anything that was happening to me.”
DECISION
“I’ve always kind of struggled with anxiety and depression, and so when I get really anxious, everything scares me. Coming to do something so big and huge was like: I had to completely shut off my brain and just make a decision.”
BREAKING BARRIERS
“I am the first to attend college. I am the first of my immediate family to graduate high school. I mean, I’ve already broken down all the barriers.”
COMING BACK
“If you have a story, and you’re able to explain it and show that you’ve done something, then your grades—I mean they matter, but they don’t.”
PERSONAL SPACE
“I just graduated last year from Helena High, and I was originally planning to go to MSU…but I’m an introvert. I don’t like big places… I am just happy in my own personal space… And it was also the fact of staying in town. Because everyone goes away, and I stayed.”
RESILIENCE
“Factors that have benefited my sobriety and my recovery—school and education. There are a lot of ideals that I believe—like, I know for myself—that I was raised with, that I learned. Coming to college has led me to realize what is actually relevant, and I can drop those old ideals and gain new ones.”
Finding Home
“I spent the next year and a half attending school and living in a tent. I studied marine science—of course that’s what you study when you go to school in Hawaii.”