(Kathleen St. Villier is the Scholars Program Manager.)
The Webster dictionary defines courage as “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.”
When starting the college application process, many of our senior students are fearful of the unknown. Their minds race, and they are confronted with many questions. What college or university will accept me? Will I be accepted? Can I afford it? Although not at all abnormal questions to face, for a first-generation college student, these questions can very well stall a student from successfully navigating the college process.
Dileydis is a FLOC scholar and first-generation college student, who is in her third year of postsecondary schooling. She successfully completed two years at Montgomery College and is in her first year at Florida International University.
For many students, transitioning from high school to postsecondary can be filled with road blocks and barriers. Dileydis’s road has not always been easy. Yet, when Dileydis stumbled, she picked herself back up, brushed off her knees, and continued on her journey. She is courageous. She describes her experience below:
“I began my journey at FLOC when I was 16. Now as I am about to turn 21 and reflect on where I’ve been and where I am going, I know that I would not be who I am and where I am without my family at FLOC.
I started at FLOC my junior year of high school. It was a difficult year for my family and I, which affected my grades, but with help and support from FLOC I was able to form a plan and move forward. I was able to prep for the SAT’s and apply to a few colleges. I did not get into my top choices and could not afford to go away for school either so I decided to attend my backup choice – Montgomery College-Takoma Park Campus.
Financially and emotionally, I found that Montgomery College was the best choice for me. I was able to graduate from Montgomery College with an Associate of Applied Science in Mental Health, debt free and emotionally more stable. Now I am currently attending Florida International University in Miami, Florida.
My journey has been long and hard but has so been worth it. Without the support and love from my family at FLOC I would not have been able to be where I am today.”
