Category Archives: Student Stories

I moved to Everett, Washington, around six years ago. I’m a ninth grader at Everett High School, and when I’m not doing schoolwork, I like playing sports and listening to music. After high school, I want to keep going with my education and hopefully go into engineering or technology. Higher education feels like a bigContinue reading “Student Story: Katherine Rodriguez”

David is a high school student at East Valley High School in Spokane who hopes to become a lawyer one day. He comes from a Guatemalan family, and like many students, he worries about what comes after graduation. Right now, starting college feels uncertain—not because of a lack of motivation, but because of money. PayingContinue reading “Student Story: David Lima”

After arriving in the U.S. from Venezuela, Scarlett enrolled at Everett Community College hoping to build a stable future for herself and her family. She started, paused, and returned to school while balancing life as a mother of two, learning along the way how complex the system can be without clear guidance. What kept herContinue reading “Student Story: Scarlett”

As a mother of three and a returning student, I came back to Yakima Valley College because I wanted to finish my education and get into the workforce. I chose community college because it feels more accessible and supportive than a university. This is only my second quarter here, but already I’ve seen how importantContinue reading “Student Story: Sally Sanchez”

My name is Débora Pereira. I was born in Santiago, Chile, in 1986. Four years ago, after waiting sixteen years for a residency visa, my family and I finally moved to the United States. I’m married, I have three children, and since 2022, Everett Community College has become a central part of this new chapterContinue reading “Student Story: Debora Pereira”

I was born in Japan, but I’ve grown up here in Washington, where I’m now in high school. I love staying active — volleyball, skiing, and even playing mahjong with friends — but I also spend a lot of time thinking about my future. I want to study computer science and eventually work in tech,Continue reading “Student Story: Sougou Tojima”

After serving in the military and working at the post office, I came to Yakima Valley College to build a better career for my future. Like many veterans, I joined the military in part to earn VA education benefits. Those benefits now cover my tuition, but even so, I see every day how difficult itContinue reading “Student Story: Isai Sanchez”

Born in Oakland, California, and raised for many years in Colima, Mexico, Maria Arteaga Toscano returned to the United States determined to build a better future. When she arrived in Pasco, she took whatever work she could find—fast food jobs and fieldwork—before landing a position at an apple packing plant. The environment there was difficultContinue reading “Student Story: Maira Arteaga Toscano”

I’m a student at UW Bothell, majoring in elementary education and studying sign language. I transferred here last winter after earning my associate’s degree at Edmonds College, where I started through Running Start in high school. I really enjoyed Edmonds — the environment, the people, and the chance to take college-level classes early. Now, IContinue reading “Student Story: J Jacoby”

As a 22-year-old mother of a toddler, I never imagined I would be in college. At first, I didn’t see higher education as necessary, but becoming a mom changed everything. My son motivated me to return to school so I could create a better future for both of us. Now in my second year atContinue reading “Student Story: Dayana Antonio”