Category Archives: Student Stories

My name is Nathan, and I’m a high school senior participating in Running Start at Cascadia College. I spend a lot of my time in Science Olympiad, and I’m hoping to pursue a career somewhere in STEM—ideally electrical engineering, but I’d be happy in any STEM-related field. I chose to go to community college becauseContinue reading “Student Story: Nathan Chiu”

I’ve been taking part-time courses at South Puget Sound Community College for about three years now. I work full time, so college has always been something I do on the side—slowly, consistently, whenever I can. After high school, I took a gap year to figure myself out, and when I was ready, community college feltContinue reading “Student Story: Catie McFarlan”

I was born in Mexico in 2010 and came to the United States in 2022 with my older sister. Moving here changed everything for me. In just three years, I’ve learned English, made friends, and found new opportunities that I never had before. At Everett High School, I’m part of the band and also ranContinue reading “Student Story: Darwin Alvarez”

When I came to Yakima Valley College, I knew right away it was one of the best decisions I had made. I had studied English in other programs before, but the system here worked better for me, and now I am proud to be in Level 6 of ESL. My long-term goal is to revalidateContinue reading “Student Story: Job Gomez”

I grew up in Mexico, even though my parents are Mexican American. My life and upbringing were rooted there, and those experiences shaped who I am today. I am currently an 11th-grade high school student, and I already know that I want to study business. My goal is to attend a community college because itContinue reading “Student Story: Dianecka Sanchez”

At Yakima Valley College, I’m studying computer science with a dream of creating technology that helps people—especially my sister, who is legally blind. She motivates me every day. I want to build tools that make her life, and the lives of others, a little easier. But even at community college, the cost of education isContinue reading “Student Story: Gabriel Stewart”

Idalia is a tenth-grade student at East Valley High School with big dreams of working in healthcare. She hopes to study ultrasound technology and eventually become a nurse-midwife. Coming from a Mexican family, she has seen firsthand how immigration challenges and financial stress affect families, even when parents have worked hard to get their documentsContinue reading “Student Story: Idalia Cruz”

My name is Clara, and I’m a freshman at Bothell high school. I immigrated to the United States with my family in 2018, and I was born in Saudi Arabia. I’m Muslim, I love acting, and I absolutely adore cats—I even have one as a pet. I’m still early in my educational journey, but IContinue reading “Student Story: Clara Elhajj”

I’m 35 years old, a mom of two, and an immigrant from Colombia. My husband and I have been together for seventeen years. We came to the United States seven years ago, hoping to build a safer, more stable life for our family. Back in Colombia, I studied psychology. I wasn’t able to finish myContinue reading “Student Story: Diana Aguirre”

I’ve always wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. I love working with children, and I believe teachers are some of the most important people in society because they shape the youngest and most impressionable minds. I know I could be a good fit for that role. It’s my passion. But pursuing that passion hasn’t beenContinue reading “Student Story: Avery Shake”