After all the struggles and hard work, it’s finally paying off. Graduation day is almost here.

There were days when I thought I’d never make it, that I’d quit. I’m still fighting to get through math.

I am an older student and have taken twice as long as needed to get an AA degree due to learning disabilities and health issues. I would go to classes with fractured ribs. I was determined to keep going and not allow problems to get in my way. I refused to give up. “Can’t” is not in my vocabulary.

I attended Bakersfield College and received an AA degree in liberal arts in 1991. Being a single parent of two sons and being sick with Fibromyalgia, Epstien-Barr virus and Lupus took a lot out of me. I stayed home and focused only on raising my sons and getting them through school. After my second son graduated, I went back to college and now will be receiving a degree in journalism.

I thank BC financial aid for allowing my appeals. I wouldn’t have gone to college without their help which was needed and appreciated.

At one point, I had an instructor say, “I just can’t see you doing journalism, it’s too demanding.” Due to my learning disabilities and illnesses, she implied that it would be impossible for me to succeed.

I am succeeding. I recently have had some of my photos that I took in journalism class published in two magazines, “Plugged In” and “From the Battlefield.”

I can do journalism. I don’t see it as “demanding,” I see it as a “challenge.” I thrive on a challenge.

I don’t know where my future is going, but I am excited about what may lie ahead. There are a variety of opportunities in journalism. I really enjoy photography and have been writing since I was a teenager. Sales and advertising have always impressed me as well. Whatever happens in my future, I will do all I have to do to succeed.

And, to all of you that are graduating, I have felt your pain. It has been hard work, but it has paid off. Congratulations!