Turning adversity into achievement: Evelyn’s story of persistence
For some, the path to a college education is a straight shot. But it’s not unusual for our students to experience more unique routes–ones containing obstacles that require immense courage and tenacity to overcome. CSF Scholar Evelyn Sanchez knows that story well, as a first-generation college student who, despite the odds, persisted through her circumstances to pursue a promising future as a dental hygienist.
Evelyn’s story starts in California, where she was born. Her childhood centered on her relationship with her mother, who remained present and committed to Evelyn’s well-being despite working multiple jobs and late nights. “I spent a lot of time alone because she was working but she always made time for me and for school events,” Evelyn recalls. “She’s a wonderful mom. I’m lucky to have her. She’s sacrificed a lot for me.”
Evelyn has long kept her eyes on the goal of higher education. Her mother taught her at a young age about the value of learning. And to Evelyn’s credit, she feels a very personal conviction to make her mother’s sacrifices “worthwhile.” “My mom came to this country to give me a better life, so I owed it to her sacrifices,” she says. “She is my motivation.” And it’s with that natural ambition that Evelyn excelled in school where she enjoyed connecting with her teachers and her friends.
A life changed
But everything changed her junior year of high school when she experienced a traumatic incident. “I spent a lot of time going to court and to doctor’s appointments. I felt like I couldn’t trust my environment,” Evelyn remembers. “All the work I did freshman and sophomore years went down the drain because I stopped going to school and my grades dropped.” Evelyn’s mental health understandably suffered.
Recovering from a traumatic incident can be an all-consuming experience, taking time and patience to heal. Evelyn speaks vulnerably about how isolated and anxious she felt in her recovery process: “My mom quit her job to be more present for me. She was always there,” she says. “I was really sad and angry about what happened. It made me doubt what I was going to do with my future. I felt a lot of pressure to rise above it. My mom came to this country to give me a better life and I wanted to see that through.”
Staying focused at the crossroads
It was a guidance counselor at Mt. Vernon High School who intervened knowing Evelyn’s graduation was right around the corner. Wanting to set her up for success, she suggested Evelyn participate in a dental assistant immersive to intellectually engage her and keep her oriented towards growth. Evelyn loved it immediately, and coupled with witnessing her best friend’s acceptance into the University of Washington, Evelyn’s wheels started turning. “It was too late for me to apply to UW, but I knew that getting into college was the only way I could make my dream of becoming a dental hygienist come true,” Evelyn remarks. “One thing my best friend told me was: ‘If you have to choose between your friends and your career, choose your career. You have to focus on your goals.’”
With the encouragement of her counselor, Evelyn had participated in her high school’s GEAR UP program, a resource designed to help high school students successfully attend college. That’s how Evelyn learned about College Success Foundation. “I was paired with my CSF advisor Ariana who advised me on how to get into college despite being behind the application deadlines and having limited funds,” Evelyn reflects. “She advised that Skagit Valley College’s (SVC) application window was still open. That I could still attend, save money on classes, stay close to my family, and eventually transfer to a larger university like UW if I wanted to.”
Without Ariana, Evelyn would have never known community college was an option for her. “Ariana was so helpful with everything,” she notes. “She encouraged me to keep talking about my mental struggles. She helped me find benefits through CSF’s emergency fund when my finances were tight. She was confident that I could get into SVC. And when I did, it felt so good. I didn’t want to consider life without that.”
The community college adjustment period
But community college is not without its adjustments. When Evelyn arrived at SVC, she stayed in close touch with her friends at UW. Seeing them set up their dorm rooms and have so much fun at social events made Evelyn feel lonely and like she was missing out. “I was filled with regret for not applying to UW on time. I saw my friend going to her new dorm and I felt like ‘I want to decorate my dorm, take pictures of beautiful buildings, be able to go out. I also just really missed my best friend. We were always together.”
The first year in college is a pivotal indicator for a student’s likelihood to persist. In fact, nearly half of students drop out within their first year of community college and only slightly more than 40 percent finish within six years. What’s worse: community college retention rates continue to drop.*
Ariana stayed paired with Evelyn as her CSF College Coach and knew it was essential to provide Evelyn with as many resources as possible to keep her on the right track. “Ariana encouraged me to take my time and be OK with a slower journey,” Evelyn says. “We made a game plan together to have me transfer to UW after two years at SVC. I’m currently in my second quarter as a freshman but I’m getting closer.”
How CSF college coaches keep students engaged
CSF college coaches like Ariana are keenly aware of the challenges that a majority of young students face. And they adapt their approaches to address these pain points as quickly as possible. “I find that it’s often more difficult for first-year community college students to find their circle and get involved on campus,” Ariana remarks. “Every student is different in terms of what will make their community college experience enjoyable and keep them coming back to campus daily. I use coaching with these students to explore what a sense of belonging looks like specifically for them and how that may be achieved, whether it is making connections with student support programs, clubs or working on-campus.”
With that knowledge, Ariana approached Evelyn’s low spirits urgently by encouraging Evelyn to apply to an on-campus job to keep her busy, immersed in the culture, and meet new people. “Before, my schedule was just class and home,” Evelyn shares. “But since I started working at the IT help desk, I really like it. I have a renewed sense of purpose and have met a lot of great students and people.”
CSF college coaches are crucial allies for equipping students with the confidence and strategies they need to be successful in such radically new environments. If not for Ariana, Evelyn says she would be “so lost in college without knowing anything.”
As Evelyn enters her third quarter at Skagit Valley College, she lights up with excitement and drive to work towards her future as a UW student and eventual dental hygienist. “It makes me feel powerful and capable.” And that, as any college coach would attest, is the best possible outcome.