Hello, I’m Juliana and I just finished at Everett Community College in December. I find joy in learning and thrive on social interactions. Being at EVCC is a step towards achieving my goal of becoming a speech pathologist.
EVCC became my choice because of my mom’s influence. She raised me as a single parent and she always prioritized education because she wanted a successful life for me. I saw her struggle because she is not from America but she found her place at EVCC. She would bring me with her to work and to her classes. It really inspired me to come to EVCC as well. The supportive community and the friendships I’ve built here made it the perfect fit.
Being a single parent, my mom can’t fund my education. If it wasn’t for financial aid, I wouldn’t be able to go to school. I make hard financial choices, prioritizing college expenses over other activities. The most expensive book I’ve purchased was $200. I pay for my school bills, phone bill and insurance. Working through work-study helps, but free college would alleviate financial stress and allow me to contribute more at home with groceries and all these other things. It’s hard because I always have to choose what my money is going to go towards. Putting anything into savings is really hard.
As for the future, free college for the first two years would make a significant difference. It would ease financial burdens, ensuring I can focus on my studies and help more around the house. I wouldn’t have to worry about down the road of how I am going to afford to transfer to a university. Free college isn’t just about me; it’s about breaking down financial barriers for students who can’t afford education. It’s an investment in the future, reducing stress for families and opening doors for generations to come.
Juliana Davis-Avendano, Marysville