MY STORY

I was born and raised in Texas. I am number 11 of 12 kids. From a very early age, our Mother encouraged us to always do the very best that we could in school, and in our everyday life. She also taught us that we have to give back. Her words have stayed with me all my life, and subsequently, I have always set high standards for myself.

My brothers, my sisters, and I attended a parochial school run by the Teresian sisters. Of 11 surviving children, six of us have received degrees. One brother was a pharmacist, one was a college professor/school administrator, one was a businessman, one was a teacher, one was a bookkeeper, and one is an engineer. I retired from the Federal government after 30 years of service.

I started taking classes a very long time ago, and I took classes whenever I could, both in San Antonio, and in Santa Clara at Mission College, and in San Jose, at Evergreen College.

I married and raised two wonderful daughters, and I took care of my ailing Mother until she died. All the time, I tried to take classes whenever I could. After my marriage ended in divorce, I worked a full-time job and two part time jobs to get them through school. Once that was finished, I decided it was my turn.

I moved to California in 1987 when I got a very good promotion. I started taking classes at NHU in 1993, until my job required that I travel overseas. With all the travel I was doing, it was impossible for me to take classes, but I returned to school full-time in 2003, having retired in October 2002. Of course, I returned to NHU.

What does it mean for me to graduate from NHU? It means that I have finally attained my lifelong dream of getting a Bachelor's degree. I have had excellent teachers and a few mentors whom I consider friends. I made many wonderful friends at NHU who wanted to learn as much as I did. We formed study groups and studied together.

What I had to overcome, was the fact that I was unable to graduate in 2006, along with my classmates. That was a big disappointment to me, but God had other plans for me.

In January 2006, our eldest daughter, Debra who lived in Dallas, was diagnosed with brain tumors. I immediately moved in to care for her and my two grandsons. She went through a lot in the next three years, and we along with her. She succumbed in December 2008 after a hard struggle. Before that, in September 2006, I lost a dear brother and friend to complications of diabetes. Unfortunately, many of us got the diabetes gene from our Mother.

In August 2008, I returned to NHU to try and finish my degree, but I took ill and had to return home to Arizona.

After my daughter died, I had no desire to do anything. It was not until February 2010, when I met with Dr. Carlos Navarro that he convinced me that it was time for me to graduate. He determined how many credits I needed to graduate, I took the classes I needed and here I am, so many years later - finally achievement my goal!

NHU has made a big difference in my life, in that attending school there is like being with a large family who wants you to succeed. The teachers are very helpful, and they make you feel that your success is theirs, as well. What a wonderful environment that is to attend school!

I have many people in my life that I want to thank. First of all, I want to thank my Mother for instilling the desire for learning in me. Next, I want to thank my brothers and sisters, who always encouraged me and help me keep the dream alive. I especially want to thank my husband, Ed, who has been my rock. He never let me give up on my dream.

Beyond that, I want to thank Dr. Navarro for all his assistance, his care, and his concern. He is the one who helped me achieve my lifelong goal. Thank you, Dr. Navarro, my mentor and friend. I could not have done this without you.

God bless you!