'ECC gave me the passion to help others'

After graduating from Elgin High School in January 2010, I spent about four months trying to figure out how I was going to be able to pursue a college education. I was a single, teenage mother and undocumented student who lacked the necessary resources to attend college.

I came to the conclusion that I either had to put my dreams aside and live in the shadows as another statistic, or fight long and hard to make them come true. I chose the latter.

I applied to Elgin Community College later in 2010 and received an ECC Foundation scholarship that allowed me to start my college education. I used public transportation to travel between my home, ECC, and my full-time job at a local restaurant. I took an evening class at ECC every semester. I paid for tuition, books, and supplies out of pocket because scholarships required me to attend ECC at least part-time and I could not file for federal student aid.

I was raising a child alone, working, attending college, and catching a bus in either rain, snow, or heat. It was a painful journey, but I was determined to succeed.

Although I felt defeated, my passion for learning and working hard toward my dreams allowed me to move forward. I did not allow my legal status, my race, my gender, motherhood, or economic status stop me from reaching my dreams.

I became a legal, permanent resident of the United States on Feb. 11, 2013. This gave my life the momentum it needed to release all the potential that was locked inside of me. I was finally able to accept a promotion to manager at work, apply for financial aid to help me pay for school, own my first car, travel, and to finally pursue my career in nursing.

Since then, I have worked very hard to succeed in both my professional and academic careers. I have received a vocational specialist certificate, an associate in arts, and an associate in applied science in nursing.

My next goal is to earn my bachelor's degree in nursing at Purdue University and continue my education to become a family nurse practitioner.

Because of the education I have received at ECC, I feel strongly about myself, and I am confident and passionate about everything that I do. I have a passion for education and knowledge - a passion that has led me and will continue to lead me to success.

I feel empowered to take my story and help my community learn how to support each other through the many resources it offers. I also plan to use my nursing degree to mentor teenage mothers, who need resources and support, to finish their high school education and continue to pursue a higher education.

By sharing the story of my academic journey at ECC, I hope to become someone that other undocumented students, teenage mothers, single mothers, women, minorities, and those in financial need can admire and look to for guidance and support.

I hope to inspire those who face the same circumstances that I did to never lose hope, work hard, and continue to fight hard for their dreams.