First-Generation Programs
First-Gen Story: Trailblazer
Showing not only the world but showing myself that I can do anything I set my mind to.
I grew up in a small town in Idaho. The town I lived in was filled with middle- and lower-class citizens and every adult in my family didn’t go to college. My mother was an entry level accountant, and my dad was a farmer. So, you can imagine that my life wasn’t filled with expensive things and my parents lived paycheck to paycheck. This made me more determined to make a better life for the family I want to raise.
When applying to college, I had no idea what I was doing. I asked my advisors in high school and some of them even helped me with a couple application processes. My mother and I even did our own homework to learn how to make my dream a reality. We would stay up late on the computer after I would be done working at my job. We would research all the scholarships and schools I wished to apply for.
When I got the call about how I’d been accepted into NAU I was on my break at work and tears of joy fell down my cheeks. My dream was finally coming true. Moving into my dorm was the scariest thing I had ever faced, I was going to be on my own for the first time in my life. Saying goodbye to my parents was twice as hard and I had never seen my parents so sad. But I was so ready for this next chapter of my life to begin.
I can now say that coming to this school was the best decision of my life. Not only am I working towards a degree in psychology to fulfill my dream of helping others, I have also found lifelong friends. My sophomore year I decided to take a leap and join a sorority. I now have two little sisters that I love and adore more than anything in this world. Being their mentor has brought me so much joy and happiness. I am also holding a new position to this years Executive Board which has challenged me to prove to myself that I can do anything I set my mind to.
Being a first-generation student has been hard and was filled with its own hardships. I have found myself to be somewhat of a trailblazer. Showing not only the world but showing myself that I can do anything I set my mind to. I am proof that no matter what background you come from, if you work hard, you can make anything happen.
