Showing Real Heart

Transcript

Next up, Phoenix College. Founded in 1921, it’s the first Maricopa Community College and home to the Bears. We’ll be hearing from Amber. Like others, her journey to college got sidetracked, but hers was a pretty major obstacle that took the wind out of her sails. She’s gonna tell us about her journey of perseverance. Okay, Amber, you are up.

– Hey there. Now don’t go telling everyone, but for me, high school was almost 10 years ago and sadly that was a time cut all too short when I had open heart surgery my senior year and had to drop out. Needless to say, I felt highly discouraged and hopeless and thought I was simply destined to be a career server. Then the pandemic hit and reminded me what’s really important in life. So here I am back at it and better than ever. It’s my second semester back, and I’m a 15 credit hour full-time honor student, a competing delegate in the school’s Model UN, an active member and chapter officer in the region’s number one Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and competing member and VP of marketing in the school’s Phi Beta Lambda Business Club. I can truly say that the faculty, staff, and students here at Phoenix College have made this transition so much easier than I ever imagined and I’m so grateful to be here. Earlier this semester, I acted as a mascot to the National Amatic Math Educators Convention, I helped the gardening club plant pollinators around campus, and was even recently selected to serve on the Board of Trustees for the PC Presidential Search Committee. All while working odd jobs to support myself and my Carolina dog and using volunteer and civic action opportunities when I can to better equip myself with the community and culture here. I’m getting all the tools and networking I need to be successful in making a difference in my community and possibly the world. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.

– Amber, rediscovering yourself after being sidelined by heart surgery and excelling in college as a full-time honor student is admirable. Amber, you are crushing it. Keep it up and thanks for sharing your phenomenal story.