My story: When I first started at Trinity, I was both nervous and excited because I never thought college would be possible for me. Coming from a low income family with a single mother, and a twin sister, higher education felt out of reach for me financially. For much of my childhood, I felt like I did not have guidance but everyone told me that I should go to college. My advisor told me I should try to apply to a four year college, and I only applied to Trinity and one other school. When I was accepted, and I found out that my sister got in, it was a no-brainer. Trinity was the school for me. At my program, Community Bridges, they helped walk me through the process, and connected me with financial aid when I needed it. They encouraged me, believed in me, and wanted to do everything they could to make me successful.

During my time here, I was pushed to become more confident with myself in professional and business settings. For me, it felt like everything was interconnected. The student activities coordinator at the time encouraged me to attend more events, and possibly run for green class president. I won, and again I felt like I had no guidance outside of a few people who taught us how to make events. I pushed myself through this, and created events that I was proud of. During one of these events was where I met my future boss at Conference Services, which I did not know at the time. Struggling financially, Trinity gave us an opportunity to be student workers under Dean Meechie. This helped me to learn organizational skills, and when the summer came around, I heard Conference Services had an opening, so I took that chance. At the start, I would avoid talking to clients, but over time I became more outgoing in this professional setting.

Taking these opportunities meant I was forced outside of my comfort zone, and learned that doubting myself was only in my mind. I am actually much more capable than I think I am. My time here has given me the opportunity to be my best self, and become happy with the results. When I was young, I felt very behind in life and knowledge, but after these four years of pushing myself to try my best, I feel like I can now hold my own in conversations. As I leave Trinity, I am still learning about myself. I do not think I have perfected anything, but I am doing my best to improve myself every day, and wherever I go I will take every chance I get, like how Trinity has encouraged me to.