“Getting my associates degree from Odessa College while I was in High School is one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I am so grateful that OC gave me the opportunity to do so.”
At the age of 14 Kara Williams began her journey as a dual-credit student.
She was young but determined to become successful.
Natalya is the first high school graduate and the first college graduate in her family.
She knew that she wanted to go to college, but she also knew that she would not have
the financial means for that, so the ECHS would help her accomplish her goal. After
her first year at OCA, at the age of 14, her parents were no longer “in the picture.”
Natalya made the decision to move to Mexico to live with her grandmother.
“I needed to come back to Odessa and go to school. Most kids my age had their parents
to fall back on, I didn’t. My whole future was in my hands and I had to make the best
decision for myself which was coming back and pursuing an education.”
Her aunt in Odessa agreed to take her in, give her a home and care for her. She returned,
determined to get back into Odessa Collegiate Academy. Natalya was successful at convincing
the school officials, but she had to repeat her 9th grade year.
Natalya had a goal that was driving her – it was really important to her to graduate
with her classmates, who were now a year ahead of her in school. To accomplish this,
she had to attend school during the regular school year and during the summer sessions.
For two years now, she has gone to school year-round –– and she has accomplished her
goal. Natalya will graduate with her classmates and receive her associate degree this
weekend, before continuing to pursue her bachelor’s degree in education.
-Natalya Aguilera
Eyitemi was excited about getting his nursing degree. He did well in his clinicals,
but tests were a challenge for him. In his last semester of the program, he was making
such poor scores on his tests that his instructor told him that she didn’t think he
was going to be able to pass the class. He also did not have the best relationship
with this instructor. He had the misconception that she was “mean,” but he said that
instructor turned out to be the “sweetest person in the world.” Instead of letting
him drop out of the program, she gave him a second chance and encouraged him to retake
the class. She pushed him to try harder and referred him to a counselor for help.
His instructor listened to him and encouraged him as he persisted in his course. She
REALLY cared about his success, and he was willing to do what he had to do. Eyitemi
has become more confident, overcome his test anxiety, performed well on his tests,
and now will graduate with his Associate Degree in Nursing.
-Eyitemi Ofeno
Lalie is the daughter of immigrant parents. She will be the first college graduate
in her family. Her two-year journey to get her degree has not been easy. Radiologic
Technology Director Carrie Nanson said, “Lalie has been amazing in overcoming what
she has dealt with and succeeding in this program – anyone else would have given up.”
In her first year, Lalie felt that she couldn’t keep up with her classmates, and she
considered dropping out. She struggled with depression. She didn’t realize that she
needed help. In her classes, she kept pressing on, trying to deal with her emotions
and stress. In her second year of the Rad Tech program, all of her instructors collectively
met with her to support her and they recommended that she take advantage of counseling.
Once she sought out the help she needed, Lalie began to thrive academically – so much
so that she will graduate this weekend with her Associate Degree in Radiologic Technology.
-"Lalie" Alaniz
Lionel worked in oilfield-related jobs his entire adult life, and he worked his way
from the bottom up. He worked the more dangerous jobs because he could make more money
to provide for his family. Eventually, he was promoted which meant that he didn’t
have to be on 24-hour call anymore and he had weekends off, allowing him to pursue
his dream. Lionel came to OC and walked in the front door, not knowing what to do
to get started. “Everyone was so helpful, and they took care of me every step of the
way.”
Lionel was working full time and didn’t have internet access at his home, so he spent
many hours every evening after his classes and on weekends in the Learning Resources
Center and other locations where he could access the internet. He would do his homework
in his pickup parked in a parking lot or at the mall while his family shopped. He
never missed one evening of class. When he finished his class work, he would stay
and help his classmates with their work. He took advantage of the resources that were
available to him such as tutoring, the Math Lab, and the LRC. Lionel completed his
associate’s degree in Automation just as OC began offering a bachelor’s degree in
that field, so he continued on and will now be graduating with his BAAS degree.
Lionel is the first, but not the last, in his family to graduate from college. His
son, Drey, will graduate next year from OCTECHS with his associate’s degree and continue
at OC to get his bachelor’s degree as well. Lionel has set a new example and expectation
for his family, and we couldn’t be more proud to call him a Wrangler.
-Lionel Baiza